He awoke at 5am and crawled out of bed, with a sparkle of mischief in his eye. I closed my eyes and drifted back into dreamland.It was a few hours later when he and I stood in a circle with a group of inspired creatives and entrepreneurs. "As we close this retreat..." I said. "I invite you to share any closing reflections." That's the moment he flashed me the smile that makes my heart melt. I knew he was up to something.

"I have something to share," he said, confirming my suspicions. He nervously sidestepped back and forth in his adorable boyish manner. "I'm grateful for how each of you have impacted my life," he said. "And through the words of Rumi, who puts what my heart feels into words far better than I, I have a message for each of you."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I couldn't believe this man speaking before me is the one I am spending my life with. His heart, his compassion, his unwavering kindness -- I felt in awe. This man I am lucky to call my fiancé never ceases to give generously, and do it from the heart. 

As he went around the circle, I watched face after face light up with glee. As they shined brighter, he did too. In fact, we all did! It's there that I truly felt the ripple effect of gratitude, and how a few words can change you.

As he completed the circle, he finished with me, sharing something I'll never forget. He said, "The minute I heard my first love story, I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was. Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along."

Gratitude, too, is within us all along. It takes only a simple expression from the heart, and it may always be remembered.

So I leave you with this: What is unsaid in your heart, that you feel called to express? 

[jbox title="About the author:" border="5" radius="15"] Amber Rae is a writer + entrepreneur + traveler + lifestyle designer.

Currently, she's writing a book in 100 days. Here I share the ups and downs of the creative process in hopes of inspiring you to do your most inspired work.

Formerly, I launched six best-selling books in six months as Chief Evangelist of Seth Godin's Domino Project and launched accelerator for your life, Bold Academy. [/jbox]