Happy Anniversary Valarie!

Have you ever struggled to find the perfect words to express how deeply and emotionally wonderful you felt for something or someone special to you? That’s how I feel today. Sometimes I think I’m a pretty good writer, able to paint a vivid word-picture or turn a clever phrase. But when thinking about how wonderful Valarie has been in our marriage; how amazingly loyal, supportive, and loving of a partner she has been; how enduringly hard-working and caring of a wife and mother she has been; how naturally beautiful, interesting, and funny of a person she has been, any words I can write just pale in comparison to the feelings of love and admiration I have for her. She’s just the best thing in the world to me and I appreciate everyday how truly blessed I am to have her. I can still remember the first feelings of love I had for Valarie when we were dating in high school, like the first casual, matter-of-fact kiss she gave me when I dropped her off from a date and I didn’t feel (so) nervous around her anymore, just happy. And over the past 24 years (21 married), there have been thousands of simple loving, exciting, and happy moments like that early kiss that have made me feel special and grateful to be in love with and loved by such a wonderful person. I thought I was love in high school, but as Van Morrison said, “It ain’t nothing like I love you now.” I’m so happy I have Valarie in my life and can’t wait to share the next 20+ years with her, then the next 20+ years after that. Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart. I love you with all my heart, mind, and soul.