I miss her.

I miss her in the spring especially, when everything is in full bloom, from plums and cherries to daffodils and lilacs. Her favorite.

I miss her in the summer, whenever I see that little polka dot bikini hanging in the closet. I remember when she wore it to Hawaii and tucked a yellow flower behind her ear. It complemented the bikini perfectly.

I miss her in the fall, when the cosmos bloom. She planted them in the backyard. Whenever one bloomed in her favorite color, she'd be delighted. She'd insist on taking me out back and showing me each one. I'd kill for that interruption now.

I miss her in the winter, all curled up in her Minnesota Vikings jammies, watching the game on the couch and drinking hot chocolate. I never was a Vikings fan before.

I surround myself with her favorite color now. I planted a jacaranda tree up front in her honor. I make sure the lilac bush and those cosmos stay healthy. I use her water bottle, her headphones, her Vikings blanket, her mug. The amethyst necklace I gave her hangs from the rearview mirror.

I miss her so much.