from the outside in.

It’s the cold I crave. Rolling over in the middle of the night realizing the covers have slipped off and you’re shivering; gripping the man next to you, intertwining your legs in hopes it will stop the teeth chattering. Waking up and walking around the house in a sweatshirt until your ready to slip on your work shirt. Adding the ritual layers of scarf then gloves then pea coat before opening the door and feeling the dry cool air knock back into your lungs. Debating floor vent vs. face vent to unthaw your body while it shivers in the car waiting for the exhaust to stop coughing out white smoke. Finding it a necessity to be cupping a signature hot chocolate from Starbucks when outdoors just so your fingers don’t go numb. Bomb fires. Walking into the mall hearing childhood Christmas music playing on the loud speaker. Cuddling during any occasion. Reaching for the tube of chap stick in your back pocket, which has become a permanent accessory. The colder outside the warmer inside feels. Warmth of family of friends of my heart melting. The countdown to Winter has begun.