Sticky Notes & Love Poems is a poetry book by Kayla Griffin and Mark Galaviz. It was inspired by the love messages left by Mark for Kayla on colorful sticky notes. The couple exchanged them for nine years. Unlike the heart-stopping and picture-perfect stories in the movies, the love described in Kayla’s poetry is soulful and healing. Her poetry and relationship with Mark are deeply reciprocal.
The themes of sacrifice, commitment, and dedication make this poetry book standout as an epitome of love, where both had to make significant contributions to make their marriage work. For the couple, love was a routine practice, or a regular exercise. The subtle nuances of quirky behavior and the difficulties they both faced make it a relatable and enjoyable read.

Kayla got it published as a Valentine’s surprise for her husband, as a reminder and a tribute to their shared commitment and dedication to make love work in their favor. Despite all the challenges, they never stepped back from being soulmates, holding on to their relationship, sharing their inner reality, quirks, and vulnerabilities, and making sincere efforts to help each other overcome challenges.
While expressing her views about the book, Kayla says,
“Don’t let movies fool you. Love is not a grand gesture. Love is a sticky note repeated each day. It is a poem, a safe space, and constant work. Love is the decision to appreciate what you have and the willingness to expand who you are to create space for this other person.”

According to the authors, the secret to a happily ever after is not just making a promise but doing everything in your capacity to fulfill it. When Kayla and Mark made the promise to be together, they never expected to see each other’s bad sides. But when they did, they made sure to work through them because love is not a bed of roses but an emotion that transcends beyond the small imperfections.

When Mark found Kayla struggling to meet his standards, he began writing love messages on small sticky notes for her. What seemed like a small act of kindness worked like a magic for Kayla, and so she collected them all, made her own poetry book about love, and got it published.
Sticky Notes & Love Poems is an ode to Mark’s unconditional love for Kayla, which is now available on Amazon.

About the Authors
Mark Galaviz is a Collegiate Speech National Champion and a Debate Team Coach, and Kayla Griffin is a visual artist specializing in figurative painting. The two met in undergraduate school and quickly became friends. Unknown to them, they both had applied to the same graduate program and were admitted into the same cohort. During the first year, they realized they had feelings for each other and began dating. What started with friendship bloomed into something more beautiful, a long-lasting love.