Ben sleeps soundly beside me and I can’t help as always but take in his beauty.

When I first saw him all those years ago he took my breath away and that hasn’t changed even after ten years together. If anything, he has gotten more beautiful as the years pass. His blue eyes are still as bright and I love the way they sparkle when he laughs. When we make love and his eyes lock with mine, the depth of emotion that shines from them sends shivers through my body. I love it when he wears his glasses. Somehow they make him even more beautiful….sexy….and I wouldn’t be surprised if more than a few students in his classes have a crush on the ‘hot professor’ as I’ve heard him called on my visits to Carnegie Mellon.

I love the way his hair just touches the collar of his shirt and I’ve warned him that under no circumstances is he to have it cut an inch shorter than it is now; it’s the perfect length for me to tangle my fingers through whether we are cuddling on the sofa or making love.

His body is strong, toned and perfect. He can scoop me into his arms and throw me over his shoulders before I know what’s happening. I can never get enough of him, loving every sigh and moan that escapes his lips when I find those spots that make his body tremble beneath mine as I explore it with my hands and mouth.

But more than anything I love his inner beauty. The way he always tries to see the best in a person or situation. The way he has never let the disease that could so easily have made him resentful take over his life. His philosophy of living in the now is something that I try to hold onto as well, but somehow I haven’t been able to find that inner calm that he has. I worry about him constantly; fussing to make sure he eats properly and gets enough sleep. Neither of us knows how much time we will have together and every morning when I waken, wrapped in his arms, I give silent thanks for another day with him.

The world is full of beautiful things but to me Ben shines above them all and I will be forever grateful to have been part of his life and more than anything to have been loved by him.