Thursday, February 6, 2014

A love letter...

For my husband...

It is almost unbelievable to me how I could possibly love you more than the day we said "I Do" all those years ago. I know I tell you that I love you every day, but somehow it doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. When I was a little girl, I would dream of my Prince Charming. I was optimistic enough to dream but pessimistic enough to doubt you would come true...yet here you are.

I am not sure what I did to deserve the love of a man like you. I am passionate and tenacious but you have never attempted to break my spirit. I am the storm, but you are the calming peace that follows. You make me feel safe, and you are one of the few people on the planet who understands why that is such a big deal for me. I feel so cherished by you. I don't need diamonds, or roses to make me feel loved. You show me every day in the little things you do and after 16 years, those little things are the big things. Your love shines through when I catch you watching me while I am cooking dinner, or when I am engrossed in a book. I feel it in the whisper of your lips, when you kiss me good morning...trying not to wake me up, but willing to risk it because walking out the door without that kiss is such a preposterous notion.

So many people have made the comment about how lucky I am to be married to a man like you. Luck really has nothing to do with it at all. Falling in love was and is magical and wonderful but it isn't luck. Marriage...especially one that withstands time, has nothing to do with luck. Marriage is about putting in the hard work, putting our love into action, making a daily decision to put someone's needs before our own. Luck doesn't hold your hand through three surgeries, countless negative pregnancy tests, or car accidents that you were blessed to walk away from. Luck doesn't dry your tears when you are curled into the fetal position because you body is wracked with pain...and luck certainly does not wrap you in a protective embrace and walk you through some of the darkest moments of your life. Love...love does that.

No, I'm not lucky but I am blessed. I know what it means to be loved beyond all reason, to be protected, and adored. Mark, my cup runneth over. I thank the God we serve every day for your presence in my life and that a boy like you fell in love with a girl like me. I just want to say to those who still think I am lucky to be married to you...well, you didn't do so bad yourself. I will love you with all of my heart, for all of my life, until I take my last breath...and even then...I will love you still. Happy anniversary honey and I look forward to sharing many, many more.