I like the sound of birds chirping at dawn when there is still dew on the grass. I like how the leaves rustle through the streets on a windy day. I like how the rain taps the roof during a stormy night like hummingbirds tap at a tree during a sunny day. I like how the sun beams through my window and the warmth of its gentleness wakes me up. 

However, nothing compares to You.

I like the hysterical laughter that echoes through the senior commons. I like the welcoming faces that greet me in class when I walk in looking like a zombie rolling out of bed. I like the intellectual challenges that I face every day in class. I like the professional level of respect that I am shown at school.

However, nothing compares to You.

I like the knee-shaking rumble of the bleachers underneath my feet. I like the ecstatic roar of the crowd because a leather ball crossed into a ten-yard boundary. I like the injection of adrenaline from listening to the national anthem before you run into other men for fun. I like the brotherhood created through the punishment of failures and the rewards from success. 

However, nothing compares to You.

I like the steamy aroma of spices that floods the air when the cardboard box lid is lifted open. I like the crunch of the buttery and flakey crust. I like the way the sauce explodes through the melted mozzarella cheese. I like the way the curled pepperonis add the perfect amount of savory spice to the tip of your tongue while your brain processes all of the greases that came with the bite.

However, nothing compares to You.

I like the loud crack of the wooden bat when you make perfect contact with the ball that has 108 red double stitches. I like the pop of a catcher’s mitt when the pitcher perfectly throws a two-seam fastball that has 6 inches of horizontal run right over the black of home plate. I like the sound of metal spiked cleats that go click-clack on the cement when a foul ball needs to be chased down. I like the sporadic shout of “strike three” by the umpire that has an excessive sweating problem and a slight limp in his walk.

However, nothing compares to You. 

I like the satisfaction of the crisp dap up when you greet your friend and it makes the perfect cupping noise. I like the late car rides at night when your base is playing so loud in your car that you cannot even hear the song that you chose to play. I like the intense moments of screaming at the TV screen because the guy you are sitting next to is beating you by five points in fantasy football and you need a Monday night miracle. I like the moments when you run as fast as you can away from somewhere and seven people jam into a five-person car and as you drive away you are all laughing so uncontrollably that your abs start to hurt.

However, nothing compares to You.

You… You are incomparable. You know the exact moment when I need You the most. You know how to make me realize when I am falling too much in love with the world and my flesh. You know how to pick me up from my darkest places and keep my eyes fixed on You. 

Nothing compares to You.