They say there's a recipe

I wrote it down

Every word

I wore the dress that made him look twice

I kept my voice low, kept everything nice

I learned to bake cornbread by half past nine

I laughed at every joke like it was fine

I smiled and let him think he knew the way

I thanked him like he hung the moon each day

Kept my storms quiet, kept my edges clean

Left him nothing to fix, nothing between

They said be gentle, said be soft

Said let him lead and don't get lost

I took notes

Every single word

I took notes

I cooked the meal and set the table right

I looked my best every single night

I let him feel like he made the call

I let him think he had it all

I kept my power where he couldn't see

Smiled like a woman who was always free

He thinks he found me - bless his heart

Honey, I chose him from the start

I followed every rule they gave

And I won - right down to the grave

I ironed out my jagged edges clean

The softest sharpest thing he'd ever seen

Praised him loud and saved my doubts for me

Admired what he was and chose to be

Healed my wounds before he saw the scars

Showed up whole so he'd never know my wars

Gave him room to stand just a bit taller

Made myself the reason he felt larger

They said be gentle, said be soft

Said let him lead and don't get lost

I took notes

Every single word

I took notes

I cooked the meal and set the table right

I looked my best every single night

I let him feel like he made the call

I let him think he had it all

I kept my power where he couldn't see

Smiled like a woman who was always free

He thinks he found me - bless his heart

Honey, I chose him from the start

I followed every rule they gave

And I won - right down to the grave

The recipe said give your best

I passed every single test

The recipe said let him feel chosen

Every rule - I left unbroken

Never mentioned I'd choose too

Never mentioned what I knew

Every soft word, every smile

Every meal - mine all the while

I cooked the meal and set the table right

I looked my best every single night

I let him feel like he made the call

I let him think he had it all

I kept my power where he couldn't see

Smiled like a woman who was always free

He thinks he found me - bless his heart

Honey, I chose him from the start

I followed every rule they gave

And I won - right down to the grave

(Right down to the grave)

(Right down to the grave)

They say there's a recipe

I followed it

Every word

To the letter

And I won