My Noni,

I first laid eyes on you when I was thirteen years old. You were larger than life on the big screen, and I remember being completely in awe because I had never seen someone so stunning in my entire life. You were this ethereal being, something entirely out of reach, and yet there was a piece of me that knew that we were destined for something special. Okay, maybe I didn’t know it consciously, but I was so drawn to you without hesitation, so unashamed of the way my feelings for you ran. I like to think now that that’s because my soul was seeing its other half again for the first time. Of course, it isn’t as though I pined away for you for years and years, although I did always have that schoolboy crush, those giddy butterflies when I saw your face somewhere. I still remember how vividly I believed it was a joke when they told me you were the one that I was going to be cast opposite, that somehow they had found out about my silly little crush and were exploiting it because I hadn’t taken their audition seriously enough. But then there you were, and you were even more beautiful than I’d ever expected, and so kind and so caring, and I knew then that I was a goner.

I would’ve been completely content with my life if I’d lived it out just being friends with you. Simply having you in my life, that was what mattered to me. Knowing I would come to the set and see you, my very best friend in the world, that I would get to laugh with you and joke around, that maybe we’d get into a big fight because we butt heads more than I ever imagined we would but that we’d make up in the end and become even closer because of it, that all would’ve been enough to make me happy. But when you kissed me on that empty stage, it was as though every dream I’d ever had was coming true, and I think there was a part of me even then that knew I was falling in love with my best friend. That’s what everyone wants, isn’t it? They say that’s the best thing in the world, and I have to agree. Nothing has ever felt as wonderful, as perfect, as meant to be as falling in love with you has.

This year with you has been the greatest year of my entire life, Winona. I don’t say that lightly either, no one has ever made me feel as loved, safe, cared for, important, handsome, sexy, and special as you have. I’ve trusted you with the darkest parts of my soul and you haven’t gone running. You saw me puke up my guts and you still wanted to be with me afterwards, once we were back on solid ground. Hell, you even took the leap and became a parent with me, something I know Gertie is so grateful for as well. You make me feel things that I never thought it was possible to feel. I always kind of thought my life was meant to have some darkness in it, that my mental health was a magnet for that kind of thing and that it was something I would always have to deal with. But you bring light to that darkness, light that I never knew was possible. You are truly sunshine to me, warming my soul, putting a smile on my face, giving me reason to get up in the morning and live life to the fullest. I was a whole person before you, yes, but falling in love with you made me the best version of myself I could ever dream to be, and I just need to thank you for that.

I hope you have the most incredible birthday imaginable, Noni. I hope every minute of it is filled with so much love and happiness, just like you’ve given me over these past months together. I know this is only the first of many birthdays we’ll celebrate together, and I can’t wait to share the rest of my life with you, to grow old with you, to kiss you first thing in the morning every single day and see that gorgeous smile of yours in return. I love you, Winona Laura Horowitz. Thank you so much for building this life together with me.

Love forever and always,
Your David