To Jerry on Our 9th Anniversary

Hi honey! I know you know what today is, though you looked a bit confused when I said "Happy anniversary" this morning. I'll forgive you since it was 4:30 in the morning. I know you haven't forgotten because you asked me yesterday what I wanted to do this weekend to celebrate.

Remember this picture? 9 years later, it's pretty much the same. We're exhausted much of the time and cranky sometimes. But at least we're still happy and in love. Oh, The Girl is a lot older and finding new ways to cause us grief, but I still haven't found any gray hairs, so that's good.

I just want you to know that the last 9 years have been great. We've had our ups and downs, our struggles, our arguments, but I don't regret anything. Sure, there are days I wish I'd married a millionaire, but I don't hold that against you. LOL Seriously, you're a wonderful husband and father. You take an interest in my hobbies (I still can't believe you joined the book club, but I'm thrilled!) and you listen to me blab (on and on and on) about books and blogging. I think you tune me out sometimes, but that's okay because I should have learned over the last 9 years not to talk when the Red Sox or Patriots are on. (Sorry!) Most of the time, you pause the television to hear what I have to say, and you support my book obsession by handing me cash and sending me off to the library sales. (Or is that just your way of getting us out of the house so you can play video games?)

Most importantly, you put family first. And you notice when I'm not myself and try to cheer me up. And because of all these wonderful things about you, I've almost forgotten the time you bought me rice cakes (blech!) for a snack when you ate the Snickers bar. Or the time you whined about waiting on me when I had the stomach flu, and then you caught it and expected me to wait on you. I'll pretend those things never happened if you pretend I never nag...and you put your dirty socks in the hamper.

You thought it was funny when my dad said he'd give you a sympathy card on our wedding day. After 9 years, I'm sure you know what my dad was talking about. But unless you plan on sleeping on the couch for the rest of your life, you'll keep your thoughts on that to yourself. :)

I still think we're perfect for each other. Happy anniversary!

Love,