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I’ve been watching you. I know, it sounds creepy, but I like watching you. When you’re eating. When you’re playing your games. When you’re creating a piece of your RC. Recently I got to watch you hang out with a 1 and 3-year-old for the weekend. And, I can tell you, my heart has been full. It is always full knowing that you are my better half, my partner in crime, my lover, my best friend, my soul mate. I don’t believe words can really ever express our relationship. Not because there isn’t enough words in any of the thousands of languages out there. But, because our relationship is so rich in history, rich in opportunity, rich in love that a single definition could not come close to who we are together. Languages strung together to define our relationship couldn’t do it justice either. And, I like it that way.

As I sit here writing this, I realize, I want it that way. The mystery of who we are as individuals and as a team melding together, separating, then coming back again is all that I have ever wanted. A person I can grab a hold to and share my deepest darkest fears and my biggest and brightest dreams. A person who isn’t afraid to place their hands on my heart and pray for me and with me. A person who isn’t afraid to tell me like it is or accepts it when I give it back. And you have been all of that these last 16 years. And then some.

Today, as you turn the big and bright 37 I’m most excited to share more memories, more laughter, more tears with you. I’m excited to continue to watch you grow into the man I always knew you could be. I’m excited to see you hold the hand of our child and watch that child’s eyes brightly shine in love knowing their daddy will always be their protector. I’m excited to be able to curl in your arms to both watch you fend off the scary monsters and to support me through all of the many things I tend to want to do.

Today, as you begin another year I’m anxious to know what is in store for you. To see you blossom. To see you groom others. To see you love God and live for Him that you may be strong and patient in the battles you’re sure to have in my stubbornness and impatience. To see you independently travel more. And to see you whisk our family off to places we’ve yet to adventure. I’m so blessed to be able to be on this incredible adventure with you.

Today, my love, we celebrate the day God blessed us with you. Wishing you all of the love and laughter you so deserve for always but especially today. I hope I can make it as memorable as you deserve.

Thank you for all that you are. For being the family’s protector, jokester, rock. For being my bridge when I can’t seem to reach God. Thank you for loving me through thick and thin and sickness and in health. Thank you for your continuous patience. Thank you for always believing that I can be and do whatever I want and succeed. Thank you for always inspiring me to be better. And most of all, thank you, with all of my heart, for choosing me.

Happy 37th Birthday! I love you to the moon and back. xoxo