Dear Nala:

When thinking back on our relationship (which I do every moment of the day), I'm constantly going back to John Legend's song, All of Me, where he says, "your perfect imperfections."  You remember the song.  You sent it to me, and it is on our playlist.  There are all kinds of things that other people might find to be gross, uncomfortable, weird, odd, or annoying.  Things that were unique to you, and while others could have found issue with them, they were all reasons why I love you even more.  Every single day...

Here's the video.  Go ahead and play it while I continue to talk to you below.

You'd always know when I had zits on my back before I did... and you'd be popping them before I knew what was happening.  And boy did that hurt.  You weren't good at it, but I'd never be able to get them myself.  That's love.  You'd never have any zits on your back really, but there was a small black head that would come back now and then (in the same spot), allowing me to return the favor at least a few times a year.  

I always knew when "aunt flow" would be visiting.  You'd get the same white head zit on the same exact spot of your forehead each month.  Every time I noticed it, I'd smile at you.  I knew something about you that no one else did.  It was our own dirty little secret.  This is part of what made us a team, a couple, soulmates, Simba and Nala.  Though, I never told you that I figured this out.  

You had a very small piece of the tip of your left pointer finger missing.  Not enough for anyone to notice though...  You were a very bad lion one day earlier in your life and you cut yourself while cooking.  I'd always be nervous when you'd cook.  I never wanted you to go through that again.  You knew this, and I'd playfully spank you for faking a knife injury while cooking.  We'd go through that at least a few times a week.  It never got old.  

Your right pointer finger had broken years earlier when your ex made you angry enough to point at him angrily into his chest.  He made you so upset, that you broke your finger when you did it.  Again, you were a bad lion, and you didn't get it set after.  You instead let it heal on its own, causing you to not be able to straighten that finger any longer.  You knew I loved that finger.  All you had to do was point it at me and I'd smile and laugh.  You were so cute when you did it... I'd usually do it back to you too.  

Many didn't know, but could assume, that you were involved in a major accident earlier in your life.  You had scars.  Many of them.  Everywhere.  You were literally put back together by doctors.  Despite you being the sole survivor of a very tragic wreck, those scars were so beautiful... A part of you.  A part that only I knew.  It was just for me.  I'd often run my fingers over them and kiss them.  I miss that so fucking much.  

Your right arm didn't have any feeling in it for the same reason.  It was mostly numb.  Sometimes, this would make for fun teasing.  

Sometimes, after you had the sniffles, your nose would have a whistling sound when you breathed.  Especially first thing in the morning or late in the evening.  You were so self-conscious about it because your ex would get upset about it, but I loved it.  It was the cutest thing in the world.  You usually wouldn't notice it happening, until you would catch me staring at you with a huge smile.  Like I said, it was the cutest thing in the world - but anyone else doing it would have been annoying as hell.  

If you laughed hard enough, you'd snort.  When you did, you'd cover your mouth and your eyes would get huge.  It would embarrass you a bit, but your laugh was one of your best qualities - especially combined with your resulting smile.

When you'd shower, you'd clear your nose.  It would sound like an elephant aggressively claiming it's territory against a predator.  It was that loud.  I don't know how your tiny body and nose could make such a sound, but I loved every time you did it.  Without fail, every time you did, you'd look at me, as if for approval or something.  It was as though you were afraid I'd one day grow tired of it or find it gross.  I never did and never would have.  It was a part of you, and like your occasional whistle-breathing, it was cute as hell.  

The same could be said for the way you blew your nose when you weren't around other people, and your burps.  You could put most men to shame with how well and loud you could do either.  We'd sometimes compete on our burps.  Although, sometimes your burp clouds would accidentally come my way.  Those were of course unpleasant, but I'd always get you back somehow.  I loved planning my retribution so much...  I'll forever miss exclaiming, "Ewww... Nala!"

A short time after we first moved in together, you fell asleep on me with your feet in my lap, like you often did.  We loved spending the evening on the couch watching Food Network or one of "our shows."  It was easy for you to fall asleep, because I'd rub your feet every night.  However, one of the first times, you accidentally farted in your sleep.  It was loud enough to wake you up.  You shot up and were terrified.  As soon as you noticed I wasn't infuriated or running out the door, you did your best to pretend it didn't happen (and that you didn't wake up) and tried to go back to sleep immediately.  This is easily one of my favorite memories with you.  

I miss all of these perfect imperfections so much.  These beautiful moments and memories.  The things that were mine and ours, and no one else's.  The things that all together just made me love you so much more...

I can't wait until we're together again honey.  I miss you and love you so fucking much.

Sincerely,

Your Simba, always