Art by  Dartseek

A snapshot of our first Valentine’s after we reconnected post-high school. Tillie showed up with her natural brown hair (no dye, no streaks, just soft waves she’d actually let air dry for once), wearing that gorgeous little black dress which hugged her just right. We could have gone anywhere, but we found ourselves at this tiny sushi place in Evanston, just north of the city (we knew Chicago would be a mess that night), the kind of place with old wooden tables and neon signs buzzing “OPEN 24 HR”.

Till ordered way too many spicy tuna rolls, eel nigiri, and extra wasabi like she was trying to prove something and laughed so hard at my terrible chopstick skills that soy sauce ended up on both our faces.

Still, I managed to snap this candid while she was mid sentence, talking about how she loved my album from a few years ago, chopsticks paused like the world could wait. She didn’t even notice the camera at first. I still love that genuine smile. That was the last time I got a clean shot without her noticing.

Fast forward to this year, same tradition, same spot (they’re still open, somehow o_O), same Tillie stealing half my sashimi. But now that badger radar is on full alert. The second my phone comes out she lunges, snatches it with a grin, and goes “Nope, not today, camera boy~” I end up with blurry selfies of her hand over the lens or her sticking her tongue out like we’re still teenagers. Doesn’t matter. I don’t need the perfect pic anymore.

I just need the way she still closes her eyes when the first piece hits her tongue, the little happy hum she makes while she does her little side to side dance, and the way she leans into my side when the bill comes and whispers “best date ever” like it’s the first time she’s said it.

Some things don’t change.

Red fur, sushi dates, her stealing my phone, me stealing glances anyway.

Happy Valentine’s, badger. Still one of the best traditions we’ve got.