The mirror of me

Mirrors are unassuming, unbiased, they offer no opinions, no lies, no judgement, only the opportunity to perceive oneself.

But unfortunately perception is reality, and none of us ever perceive ourselves as we really are, none of us see what anyone else sees and the same is true for us all. We deceive ourselves, our mind's eye lies to us, forces us to question ourselves while society provides us with a perfect image, an ideal to be met, the unattainable standard by which we judge ourselves, and the metaphorical cat o’ nine tails with which we flog ourselves.

So I say to her, look at your reflection in my eyes, trust my words and see your real, beautiful self, as I see you, as I love you.

I see everything she sees, I just can't agree with her on what that is, because my perception differs from hers.

Where she sees stretch marks, I see the softest, smoothest, warmest skin, and the tiny hot spark of electricity I feel whenever it touches mine.

Where she sees the "lumps and bumps" she consistently works so hard to flatten and iron out, I see her uniqueness, I see her determination and her will to achieve and fight for her dream.

Where she sees scars I see her story, I see all that has brought her to me, and everything she has endured in pursuit of her happiness, I see how she has become herself and grown into the woman I found myself falling in love with.

Where she sees things she isn't fond of in her face, I just see a smile so amazing, so intoxicating that I would, and do, do anything to see her wear it at all times, to see the whole universe and all of its wonder sparkling in her eyes in that moment, fueled by happiness and laughter.

I just see all that I want, all that I have and all that I need in a perfect, petite package.

Perfection is imperfect, by definition: "As good as it is possible to be". Everything has imperfections and so does everyone, but those imperfections make us unique, one in seven billion, they are what separate us, what make us shine and what give us our individuality. Without them, we would have no need for love, and no need for longing.

Perfection is perception, and perception is reality. I would argue all physical feelings for one another are born of that. Attractiveness, sexiness, allurement and appeal, all are based on perception, and are unique to every individual, but she doesn't know she has it all, and that to me, is such a tragedy.

How I wish she could see herself in the mirror of me, see how she really is and focus on the pure warming sunlight she radiates into my life, just by being herself. How she wakes up looking so beautiful, how she fascinates and captivates me every single second I am next to her, without even trying, no matter the circumstances.

That makes me wonder, how many others feel this way, from either side of this story.

I can tell you one thing, all of you, every single one I'm sure, have your own beauty and you should undoubtedly and assuredly seek, and believe in that reflection of your true, beautiful self and hold onto the mirror that lets you see yourself, the partner that shows you who you really are and treats you accordingly, the one who’s only fear with you, is blinking, in case they miss a single moment of you.

Because you ARE worth it, and you ARE beautiful.