Leandra and I have this thing we do.

It’s something small.

From across a crowded room, or once one of us steps out of the car. Or against the others’ leg or clasped hand during a long car ride or under the table at dinner. Written in the corners of notes or books or scrawled across the IKEA chalkboard hanging in our kitchen.

3, 2, 1. We’ll show the numbers on our fingers, or write them out, or “tap-tap-tap, tap-tap, tap” it out to each other, like a simple Morse Code. It signifies the love we share, and it gives us a way to show it when words won’t work.

That’s what it means to us, but I’m not telling what it actually means. Not ever.

And even though “3, 2, 1” has already been spoken for, I highly recommend at least one secret code to share with your lover.