For Cheryl

[Intro – soft fingerpicked acoustic guitar, faint piano hum] (Instrumental Solo) [Verse 1 – warm guitar arpeggios, quiet shaker] I still taste the kisses we shared along the way Your laughter echoes like it was just yesterday No shame in the hours we wove into our story Only the weight of the words I never got to say [Pre-Chorus – building piano, subtle string swells] I ran from the noise, from the mess I couldn’t fix Left you with a silence that no one should have to mix With the love we built, with the trust we held so tight I broke it all before I could make it right [Chorus – full guitar and piano, layered vocal harmonies] Cheryl, I never meant to leave you in the dark I loved you then, I love you now, with every beat of my heart I hope you know I never used the love you gave I still carry it with me, through every single day [Verse 2 – softer guitar, distant rain sound effect] I’ve walked through years of empty, of what could have been Wished we’d loved without the thorns that pulled me in I missed the choices that were right there in front of me Blinded by fear, I let you slip away from me [Pre-Chorus 2 – more prominent strings, gentle drum kick] I’ve paid for the silence, for the roads I didn’t take Carried the guilt of the promises I couldn’t make I never wanted to leave you with a bitter taste Just a fool who couldn’t see his own mistakes [Chorus 2 – intensified instrumentation, emotional vocal delivery] Cheryl, I never meant to break your gentle heart I loved you then, I love you now, even when we’re apart I hope you’re held by someone who gives you all you need Someone who stays, who makes your every day complete [Bridge – sparse piano, raw vocal delivery] I don’t ask for forgiveness, just for you to understand I never meant to hurt you, never had that plan If you hate me still, I’ll carry that too But I need you to know, my love was always true [Chorus 3 – full band, soaring string section, climax] Cheryl, you’re the one that never fades from my mind No one else could ever leave this kind of mark behind I hope you’re happy, I hope you’re loved so well You deserve the world, the things I couldn’t tell [Outro – fading guitar, soft piano note] I’ll keep loving you, always and forever Cheryl, my love, now and for whatever