This is definitely my love letter to Santana Lopez

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How does one describe Santana Lopez?

Depending on who you're talking to, some may say she's arrogant, mean, stuck up or my personal favorite, a straight up bitch.

If you knew us in high school, you'd also know that I would be inclined to agree with all of the above, especially the latter.

Santana originally attended the University of Louisville and I was away at Yale. I remember visiting Kurt and Rachel for the weekend in New York when, unbeknownst to me, my life would change forever.

Around three am or so, one night a pounding came on the loft door, still half asleep. I opened said door and saw a soaking wet Santana Lopez.

She stopped midcry and tilted her head, looking at me with an unreadable expression.

"Blondie?" She whispered "What are you doing here?"

But as soon as I went to open my mouth, she wrapped me up in her arms.

That's all it took.

I was a goner.

Now, I had held Santana countless times for many different reasons over the years but I couldn't, for the life of me, comprehend why that time it felt so different?

To this day I still cannot explain it and neither can she. But we both agree the spark between us was definitely ignited and everything between us changed that night.

Fast forward ten years and here we are.

Most days happily married, I say most days because even though my last name has changed, we are still very much the Quinn and Santana you remember. One major difference is we've traded arguments and slaps for kisses and compromise. I wouldn't have it any other way.

We have settled into our own loft overlooking the skyline.

I graduated top of my class from Yale and am now a very successful lawyer.

Placing the bookmark into my book and resting it on my chest, I look up from my spot on the couch, towards the kitchen and it makes me smile.

I'm just in time to see the absolute love of my life, her headphones blaring as she dances around the kitchen cleaning up.

Santana surprised everyone, except for me of course, and graduated top of her class with a Masters in creative literature from Columbia. Pretty fancy huh?

Everyone back home was speechless but not me, she used to write these amazing and colorful essays during high school and all throughout college, in fact I still have a few tucked away somewhere. Don't tell her.

As I sit here, taking in everything that she has been, is and will be in this life, one thing rings true.

I am and always will be the luckiest person to ever exist.

And as the smile, one reserved only for her, graces my lips, these words echo in my mind…..

Sometimes I look at her

and I can't understand how

someone before me didn't

see what I see.

I remember how shitty Puck treated her, how bad Brittany hurt her each time she carelessly tossed Santana aside time and time again for any and everyone who paid attention to her and it began to anger me all over again.

I just cannot fathom a world where Santana Marie Lopez isn't loved and cherished daily. Right about now, I'm not sure if she can feel me staring at her or if it's the song she's listening too but every so often a small smile will grace her lips and she'll look over me and when she winks…My world stops.

Sometimes I look at her

and I can't understand how

someone before me didn't

notice a whole beautiful

universe hidden within her.

I watch her meticulously put on my favorite shade of lipstick. As she sits at the vanity, in sinfully tight jeans, heels that should be illegal and a blouse that fits her sculpted body perfectly, She's completely focused on the task at hand and I only know this because her mouth hangs open lopsided and a little to the left. I giggle from my spot on the bed, she breaks focus to look at me. And when her left eyebrow quirks and that smirk I love so much spreads across that flawless face, I wonder why we had to make plans tonight.

Sometimes I look at her

and I can't understand how

someone before me looked

at her and didn't find every

single thing they'd been

searching for in a human

being.

Everyone likes to think they know Santana Lopez because they went to high school with her but until you're allowed into her inner sanctum, you'll never know the real Santana. On the outside she seems mean and cold with a quick witt that can tear you down before you see her coming. But below that surface is a beautiful woman with a heart of gold who would do anything for her friends and loved ones. My great and fierce protector.

Sometimes I look at her

feeling glad that they didn't,

because if they looked

deep enough to see all of

those things within her,

then I wouldn't have been

able to have the chance to

love her the way I do.

I've known her forever, since fifth grade actually.

A part of me laughs because when we first started dating she said she'd never be one of those saps that cry at their wedding, then I smile.

My vicious and menacing soon to be wife.

As she glides down the aisle, arm locked with her Dad's and a few tears streaming down her face, I am reminded what a gift she is and how special she truly is. Truth be told, I'll remind her forever, if she'll let me and when we finally lock eyes, I know she will.