If They Only Knew

I know this blog is supposed to be about us, but tonight I figured I would follow up on a topic we discussed last week. It was about the things the girls will remember that you did for them that "were special". That you even wondered if they would have trouble with thinking of any was really quite surprising. The number of little things is innumerable and the big things are pretty countless as well.

I really can't list them all, but I think you can get kind of a flavor for them.

How about the whole "movie Monday" thing? The younger one looked so forward to those nights. She loved them. I am honestly quite amazed at how many movies the two of you mentio that you saw but I didn't. I am certain she will expect these again this summer.

How about the "shuffle" training session? Or the impromptu dance session (the one with the "slapping"). Precious moments – all of them.

LIke today there are the "sudden unplanned" trips to Madison or wherever. They like those things. Why? Because the like spending time with you. They enjoy how you make them laugh with your silly approach to things. The love the shared jokes you have together. I'll bet you three could fill hours on goofy dinner table jokes alone.

How about the endless nicknames you have for them? They will remember that stuff forever. The zoo trips, mall trips, lunches together, the list goes one.

I guess the point is that they have no idea how huge you are in their lives. You have done so much more than take them to museums and big stuff. You have given them your time. All of your time. All of your attention. They'll never forget that. They will remember so many moments. And when we are really old they will sit and remind us and our feeble memories of those moments. And in return for all you did for them.

I looked at a picture taken just a few days ago of the older daughter lying on the couch with her head in your lap. She is nearly 20 years old. And she still does that with you. She will remember that.

The "walker" is still hanging out there somewhere for you and the younger daughter to "hide" on each other. It's silly and goofy. She is over 16 years old. She will remember that.

Face it sweetie. You are unforgettable. You are a memory all of your own.

You're the world to me. I love you more than anything in the world.

 

Happy Birthday!

Happy 40^th Birthday my love.

I was going to have a post where I listed the 40 ways I loved you, but realized there were thousands.

I was going to have a post where I listed the 40 ways you were beautiful, but the decided that 40 wouldn't cover the list.

I was going to have a post where I reminded you of the 40 ways you make me smile, but I got to number 800 and realized I was not even close to being done.

I was going to have a post where I mentioned 40 sexy things about you and figured out there were so many more than 40.

So I figured in order to have the post I really wanted I was going to have to wait until your 1,000^th birthday or so to have ample room to cover all the topics I wanted to cover. I know that is not possible, but I sure would be happy if I got to spend that much time with you.

So I will keep this simple and spend my day making your 40^th Birthday a truly happy one.

Happy Birthday my love, no one has ever made 40 look as good as you do.

You're the world to me. I love you more than anything in the world.

Words That Fit

The other day we were in the kitchen together with our oldest daughter home for the weekend and something hit me.  I sure love it when she comes home.  She puts everyone in a better mood.  Not that we aren’t in a good mood, but she certainly completes the family.

In any case the discussion somehow came around to music and she made the claim that the most romantic song ever (and the one she planned on having played at her wedding) was The Fray’s “Look After You”.  I think we argued with her (actually we were in the car for this conversation) because our song IS the most romantic song ever.  We also reminded her that her future husband (whomever that may be) would likely want a say so in the song choice.

However, I really like that she is so passionate about some song lyrics.  I really think the ability to have that kind of passion is a sign of intelligence.  Every member of our family has that kind passion for something.  Just ask the younger daughter about her favorite music, she gets pretty passionate about it.  I guess we are pretty smart.

It did get me thinking though.  If this song is “so romantic” and you and I are truly the greatest romance story ever this song should somehow have some application to our romance.  I mean seriously how could the “most romantic song ever” not apply to us?  So I made certain I listened to it on the plane this morning.  I made certain I would read the lyrics.  I was certain I could “map it” somehow to us.

Here are the lyrics in chunks with some proposed application to our romance.

“If I don't say this now I will surely break
As I'm leaving the one I want to take
Forgive the urgency but hurry up and wait
My heart has started to separate

Oh, oh,
Be my baby
Ohhhhh
Oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you”

Well so far so good.  We can’t walk away from each other without knowing the heartfelt pain of separation we will feel.  It happens every week.  I leave.  You stay.  I wish I hadn’t left.  You wish I was still home.  Its the last line that really fits.  A long time ago I promised to “take care of you forever”.  I gather “look after you” is almost the same.

“There now, steady love, so few come and don't go
Will you won't you, be the one I'll always know
When I'm losing my control, the city spins around
You're the only one who knows, you slow it down

Oh, oh
Be my baby
Ohhhhhh
Oh, oh
Be my Baby
I'll look after you
And I'll look after you”

I gather now is the appropriate time for the “super man” insert?  I can handle anything so long as when “my city spins around” you are always there for me.  Always the one who I can count on.  The one I know loves me no matter what.  The person who gives me my “super man” ability.  In exchange for that comfort “I’ll look after you”.

”If ever there was a doubt
My love she leans into me
This most assuredly counts
She says most assuredly

Oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you
After You
Oh, oh
Be my baby
Ohhhhh”

Hopefully I make you feel protected as well.  Give you a sense of safety.  A sense that no matter what you can “lean into me”.  Because after all, “I’ll look after you”.

“It's always have and never hold
You've begun to feel like home
What's mine is yours to leave or take
What's mine is yours to make your own

Oh, oh
Be my baby
Ohhhhh
Oh, oh
Be my baby
I'll look after you
You are so beautiful to me”

This one sums it up.  You are home.  My home.  I have said it a million times, I am never home unless you are with me.  Everything I have is yours for the taking.  My heart, my soul, my being.  Its safe with you.  In exchange for that “I’ll look after you”.  That safe feeling you give me is what makes you “so beautiful to me”.

So I guess the kid is pretty sharp.  Its a true love song.  It must be because it applies to the most true love ever.  Ours.  Thanks older daughter, I have another one to add to the list.  I hope you don’t mind sharing it with your mom and me.

And my love, I will look after you.  Forever.  Its a promise I plan on keeping for eternity.

You’re the world to me.  I love you more than anything in the world.

The Long Week

It has been a long week. I feel like I have been away for a near eternity. Having you home dealing with all the stress of your parents alone wasn't really fair.

I know you don't need to hear this from me, but you shouldn't let her bug you so much. When you do she wins. She doesn't deserve to win. What she deserves is the constant remorse that she shouldn't ever be forgiven for being the kind of person she is now and was before.

The best part is you so completely are not that person. In fact you are really a quite amazing person. To illustrate I am bring back the top 10 List format.

Top 10 Reasons You are Amazing

10. You are responsible for our wonderful family. 4 people who love, respect and enjoy each other.
9. You are a lot of fun. There isn't anyone who doesn't enjoy having you around. You are and always have been the life of the party (in the good way).
8. You are a stunning beauty. You still look so young and smile so amazing.
7. The older daughter adores you. She won't ever dread having you around. When you visit her 20 years from now, she will count the days to your arrival like it is Christmas.
6. The younger daughter adores you. She may never actually let you get far enough away to have to wait for a visit.
5. You have an amzing sense of humor. You can make anyone laugh.
4. You are really smart. You can hold an intelligent conversation on just about any topic.
3. Even as you approach 40, you are still really sexy.
2. You know what it really means to be happy. You make certain you are a happy person. I don't think you even realize how important a part of who you are this has become.
1. Your husband adores you. After over 20 years every day just gets better and better with you. I can't wait for the next 50 years to come.

There you have it. Looking at the list and thining of your mother I have come to one conclusion. You must be adopted.

You're the world to me. I love you more than anything in the world.

Just Spending Time

I guess you have to be married for as long as we have been to actually say you "enjoyed" a day of running errands. But I did. Saturday was a whirlwind of stopping here and stopping there, but in the end it was just a nice day spent with you. Just you and I. Together. Doing just the little things that people do. But doing them together.

Breakfast at the Pfister was nice, even if the atmosphere wasn't what we wanted. The meal was tasty and you got those pancakes you so love. It was nice to come downstairs and see you were getting dressed because you knew we were going. I am not sure how the previous week got messed up. But we made it this past weekend. Breakfast has become our romantic meal time. Everything we do is different.

Then a few trips here and there. All just things we needed to do. Normal stuff. But doing them together was so nice.

So while this is not the most romantic blog entry ever or even the longest, I thought I would use it to remind you just how much I love spending time with you. There is no one in the world I would rather be with. There is no one's company I'd rather share. No one I'd rather laugh with or goof around with. Even the most minimal things seem like a good time when I do them with you.

You're the world to me. I love you more than anything in the world.

I guess you know why…..

…I am picking now to post this.  But I figured now is as good as any to tell you I love you.  Its Friday night, post pizza, post TV, post……well.

The new David Gray CD came out this week and I am pretty sure you will hear plenty of it over the next few weeks/months.  As with any good David Gray music, there are tons of lines that remind me of you as I listen.

However for now I will share the one I like best…

“If for only a second I see it twinkling in your eye,
I gotta try”

You’re the world to me.  I love you more than anything in the world.