for what I am when I am with you

two 20 x 16 canvases side by side. water/oil/acrylic/ink/oil  I have one of my favorite poems ever sitting in a space in my home too see all the time. right on top of the piano that is in my living room. when I created these paintings I kept it in the forefront of my mind. “I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you”. It holds special space in my heart now because my partner allows me the grace to be myself completely, unapologetically, and authentically helps me heal trauma in past relationships I haven’t been able to heal before. As messy and dark it can get at times- I wouldn’t trade this version of myself for anything.    ”I love you, Not only for what you are,But for what I am when I am with you. I love you,Not only for what you have made of yourself,But for what you are making of me. I love you forthe part of me that you bring out;I love you forputting your hand into my heaped-up heartAnd passing over all the foolish, weak thingsthat you can’t hel