Everytime

EVERY TIME

We were just two kids from Galliano,

Didn’t know where life would go.

One night at a Mardi Gras Ball,

I found the girl I’d give my whole life to.

Then Valentine’s Day down in Houma,

I asked you to take this ride with me.

August first, two thousand three,

We promised forever, you and me.

Back then forever sounded so far away,

Now twenty-three years went by like days.

And I’d choose you every time,

Through every high and every fight.

Through the days we got it wrong,

And the nights we held on tight.

We’ve forgiven, we’ve grown,

We’ve learned what real love means.

It ain’t perfect, but it’s ours,

And that’s everything to me.

If I had one life to live again,

There’s nothing I would change.

I’d find my way back to you, Danielle,

And I’d choose you every time.

We raised three kids and watched them grow,

And somehow time just wouldn’t slow.

We turned ordinary days into memories,

Some we didn’t know we’d miss until they were gone.

We’ve seen the mountains out in Denver,

Walked beaches underneath a Mexican sun.

Texas nights and Tennessee roads,

Florida sunsets and miles from home.

But every place this life has taken me,

The best part was you there next to me.

I’d choose you every time,

Through every high and every fight.

Through the days we got it wrong,

And the nights we held on tight.

We’ve forgiven, we’ve grown,

We’ve learned what real love means.

It ain’t perfect, but it’s ours,

And that’s everything to me.

If I had one life to live again,

There’s nothing I would change.

I’d find my way back to you, Danielle,

And I’d choose you every time.

Life moves fast.

Faster than we ever thought it would.

Kids grow up.

People leave.

And tomorrow ain’t promised to anyone.

That’s why when I see something beautiful

And you’re not standing there with me,

You’re the first person on my mind.

Because after all these years,

I still want to experience this world

with you beside me.

And if I’ve given you half the peace

You’ve given me,

Then I’ve done something right.

I don’t need another twenty-three years

To know what I already know.

But God, I hope we get ’em.

And twenty-three more after those.

I want the gray hair.

I want the wrinkles.

I want the stories we’ve told a thousand times.

I want to sit beside you when we’re old

And wonder where the hell all the years went by.

Because I’d choose you every time,

Knowing everything I know tonight.

Every mistake, every tear,

Every beautiful piece of this life.

I’d take the hard with the good,

I’d walk every mile again.

Because every road that brought us here

Was worth it in the end.

From that Mardi Gras Ball

To wherever our last road goes,

I’ll keep falling deeper in love with you

As we keep growing old.

Twenty-three years behind us,

And I’m nowhere near goodbye.

Danielle,

If forever started over tomorrow…

I’d choose you every time.

August 1, 2003,

We promised forever.

Twenty-three years later…

I stil