To the Person Who Stole My Garbage Can

I love Lyra. God, I love her. I love the way she wakes up in the middle of the night wanting to go to Starbucks, and the way she doesn't believe me when I tell her they're closed. The way she wants to put on her "daytime clothes" and go see. I love how she's the only person who can talk me into anything, and the stabbing pain I feel when I've upset her and her bottom lip trembles just so. I love the way she's so free, so passionate, so unrestrained. How she knows exactly what she wants. (I loved that about childhood: always knowing what you want, and not caring if it's good for you.) I love her blonde hair, her blue eyes, and how she demands to know why she does not have two mommies like her friend. I love everything about her.

I love my Love, the one who's mine. I love how he, inexplicably, charmingly, is convinced I'm an interesting person. I love how he loves, so wholeheartedly, honestly, fiercely. I love the way he can pierce through the heart of an issue in a second flat. How he radiates intelligence. I love the way he gestures with his hands. I love his conviction and his calm self-assurance. I love his faith. I even love the way he bullies me into attending class, late and wet-haired and grumbling. I love the way he genuinely expects the best from everyone else.

I love my friends, every single one of them. I love Sara, for being simultaneously so self-righteous and yet so endlessly forgiving. I love Chris, for every ounce of patience he has had with me, and his eternal optimism. I love him for the way he adores Lyra as much as I do. I love Mem, for being Mem, and my God, that hair. I love how he can be so intellectually ferocious despite looking for all the world like he just rolled out of bed. I love Tim, for being so reticent, so independent, and how he understands what I mean when I say, "It just so interesting." I love Austin and Noelle, not even for all their charm and wisdom and talent, but for the depth with which they love each other. I love my sister for bringing me to tears with laughter, but also for her endless ability to bring me back down to earth. And I love Kaeti, for her indominable passion, for always opening the doors of the world to me, for letting me be so honest.

I love my mother, too. My mother is the strongest, and most beautiful, person I've ever met. For all of our bitching and affected bitterness, we will always love each other. We both know it. My mother is the only person on the planet allowed to be mean to me, and she would KICK YOUR ASS.

But you know what, person who stole my garbage can? Despite the fact that I cannot begin to comprehend your motives, I probably love even you, just because you too have friends, and a mom, and maybe even kids who move you to tears with that grip they have on your heart. 

Just keep the damn thing.