"You remember that summer weekend we went out together, when we encountered the traffic blocked by the gay pride parade? That day we ended up at the park, picnicking and talking and doing nothing in particular until it got dark and we returned home.

She was in my lap. We were just looking at each other. I don't know for how long. I just realized she was right about to kiss me, and I was right about to let her if she did. I realized right there and then like a ton of bricks falling on my head, that this girl, this girl I had always regarded as a daughter, this girl, she was the most wonderful and amazing being in the universe and I wanted nothing more than to be with her, now, tomorrow and forever. I wanted her to be everything to me. I wanted to be her champion, her husband, the father of her children, her servant and her partner. I realized that although she wasn't my dream, she was my dreams.

I could've kissed her right there, and wanted to, but I didn't because I know it will have to come from her. But at that moment I knew what I'm made for, and that is her, and that is to love her, and that is to be for her what she needs.

I love her.

And I have since made mistakes. Some big ones. Mistakes in the quest to love her like I'm meant to.

Some people don't forgive my mistakes. Some people know the fallen hoomin behind the mistakes.

Yet I'm still here, still standing. And I will.

Because someone has to fight for her.

And there is a reason I through pain became a fighter.