I am finally leaving my home, my castle.

Escaping from her protection.

Escaping from her sheltering love.

Escaping from the constraints of home.

I do it all in search of you, the one for me.

The one who was always there.

The one I dream about.

The one who knows me.

The one who accepts me for who I am.

Mother means well.

She wants to protect me from the world of pain.

But what I need is to feel it all.

To laugh and cry.

To struggle and succeed.

To suffer and to thrive.

I am ready for it all because I know it leads to you.

The one whose presence I always felt but never saw.

The one who accepted parts of me I could barely acknowledge.

The one who is willing to share himself wholly with me.

My love.

My soulmate.

My other half.

Mother wanted the best for me.

In trying to give it, she caused me mountains of pain.

Her love was like vines around my heart.

Her love was a chain I needed to break.

Her love was like trying to breathe underwater.

But you...

You understand.

You accept.

You love.

My soulmate doesn't point out my flaws but helps me grow.

My soulmate doesn't cut my wings but helps them stretch out.

My soulmate does that and so much more.

What makes it even better is that I do the same.

I help you accept who you are, warts and all.

I help you be the best version you can be.

I help you reach the greatest heights.

I respect you.

You respect me.

I love you.

You love me.

Together, we are stronger.

We can face the world.

Together, we can build a life.

Together, we can finally live.

As I glance one last time at my home,

I thank my mother for my life and so much more.

But I bid farewell to fear of the unknown.

I bid farewell to being pampered and sheltered.

I bid farewell to a love that didn't let me grow.

I love my mother, but it's time for her to let me go.

It's time for me to make my own home.

With my soul mate by my side, I can do it all.