Happy Anniversary

Today is the anniversary of the day my wife and I were married. She is, she was then, and she always will be the love of my life.

I always thought the idea of finding your “soul mate” was a fallacy. It sounded wonderful but it also sounded contrived. Until I met Heather more than a decade ago.

From the day we first locked eyes in the Syracuse airport, all the way through today, I feel blessed to have her in my life. She is more than my wife, she is my best friend, and I know how rare that is.

Because I work from home, and because she’s an overworked stay-at-home mom, we are together 24/7. And I love every minute of it.

Many say we’re crazy and comment how they sometimes “need a break” from their spouses.

I’m the opposite. I don’t like breaks from her. And that’s why this next month is going to stink.

Heather’s mom had to have emergency surgery and there isn’t anyone able to give her the care she needs to recover. Heather didn’t hesitate to volunteer and is currently on a cross-country trek with our 8-year old son and 17-month old daughter.

With as much as she had to take with her for the month-long stay, flying was out of the question, so we charted out a three-stop route from Texas to New York. Instead of us spending our anniversary together, I’ll be at home, and she’ll be in a hotel in Columbus, Ohio.

We’ve been apart before, each time because she volunteered to care for my mom after her hospitalization. This is the type of woman Heather is…she gives. She gives all of herself to everyone else and sacrifices so much just so others can be happy.

I’ve always known her to be down to earth, selfless, compassionate, and caring. This is what I love about her. She never puts herself first. If someone needs help, she’s the first to arrive with a helping hand. Top it all off with the fact that she’s gorgeous and you can see how easy it was for me to fall in love with her.

When we were getting married I remember how stressed she was over the fact that our guest list was small. We had decided to marry in Texas because my parents lived here. At the time, we lived in New York, so it was difficult for a lot of people to make the trip.

She was saddened by this and I decided to write her a poem on the eve of our wedding. I wanted to express that the strength of our marriage wouldn’t be measured by the number of attendees and I’ve decided to publish it here after finding it in our memories album.

It really doesn’t matter to me, my love,
if one or one hundred are there.
For that day we begin our lives as one,
to hold, to cherish, to share.

If heaven alone were to bind our two hearts,
it would make no difference to me.
For the love that I hold deep down inside,
shall embrace you eternally.

I will stay by your side in both good times and bad,
to share smiles, laughter, and strife.
To comfort, to love, to listen, to care,
for all the years of my life.

Only two things will matter to me, my love,
as you walk to stand by my side.
One is the true love I feel for you,
the other that you’ll be my bride.

With that, I’ll stop making you nauseous. I just wanted to share how much I love the woman in my life. She is everything I’ve dreamed about and more.

She is a wonderful mother, an amazing friend, a loving and devoted wife, and an extraordinary person. She is my rock and I know anything I do or say will be inadequate in expressing how much she means to me.

Happy Anniversary Heather! I miss you terribly, even after only two days, and I look forward to our chats ten times a day. I can’t promise the house won’t be in shambles, or even that the pets will be alive when you return, but know that I’ll be here with wide open arms and a huge smooch when that day comes.

I Love You.

Now. Then. Forever.