Hang on, just one more year!

Hubby in Gatlinburg, TN, 2005

Well....you're only one year away from the big THREE-OH.  Although I've threatened, I promise not to trade you in for a newer model...yet.  At least until you lose control of your bodily functions.  I've dealt with poopy diapers for almost three years now and I think I deserve a break, don't you?  30 isn't that big of a deal for most, but since you were mostly bald when I met you at 21, things seem to be happening a little quick, so I have to make sure there are no surprises in our marriage.  So just a head's up.  In 365 more days, I'll be watching for signs of elderliness and more than just the "dutch oven" kind of farts you grace me with every.morning.and.every.night.

You have mentioned, or rather your mother tattled on you that you would like to have Logan's Roadhouse sing you a special song tonight at dinner.  Because - after all - you told her, you have to enjoy your 29th birthday.  In another year, it'll be time to become an adult.

Amen to that.

Hubby reading with Punky and Chicken, Xmas 2007

On a serious note, I watch you with our children and think about what a wonderful father you are and I feel a swell of pride when you play with them, hug them and kiss them (even your son) in public.  People who see you can no doubt see what a good father you are and how much you love them.  I want to pinch the heads off of the fathers who are passive with discipline, passive with love, and passive with their relationships with their children because they miss out on so much.  It shows how content they are with you when you walk through the door after a long day at work and immediately grab them up and shower them with love regardless of how tired you are (although I still think you get an 8 hour vacation every day)  ;oP  Punky's "I'm so glad to see you, Daddy!" melts my heart every day.  I also want to thank you for giving them what I never had growing up.  While I don't like to imagine bad things, I at least have the comfort of knowing if we went our separate ways you would still be an active part of their lives regardless of our relationship.  That means a lot to me.  I want you and Chicken to have the kind of relationship you and your father have.  Hopefully I'll have a picture like this to frame in about 25 years:

Hubby with his Dad, 2005

I want to thank you for choosing to share you life with me.  Our almost seven years together have been an amazing journey of infertility, too much fertility, growing pains, happiness and stubbornness.  For what it's worth, I wouldn't trade it for anything else, except to have met you earlier and had even more time with you.  

And lastly, thank you for being good to me.  We still have a lot of growing to do and a lot of learning, even after 7 years, but every day I feel like we're closer to that and to giving each other the best of ourselves.  I couldn't imagine my life without you, couldn't imagine where I would be had I never met you.  Without each other, we're only one half of a complete story.  Our marriage is just beginning in the grand scheme of things and I can't wait to see what the future holds (just please schedule that vasectomy so our future doesn't hold any more kids!).

Here's to 50 years and a happy ending to our less-than-perfect beginning.  But it could have been a lot worse - like you never deciding to shave your head.  I want to say thank you for that, too.

Our engagement pic, 2001

I love you with all my heart,

The Wife