Happy Birthday, M!

'Happy Birthday to my Husband!

We've been through it all - the good, the bad, the very good, the very bad, and the inspiring moments that make it all worthwhile ... and through it all, I've always been grateful to be sharing life with you. I love you!'

So read the words in the card I gave M this morning. We have spent his last sixteen birthdays together. Twice I have forgotten to get him a card and one of those times I almost forgot it was his birthday. That was ten years ago when we were visiting family in Arizona. Poor guy - it's not much fun that his birthday is slap bang between Christmas and New Year. It really is overshadowed by the festivities. Add a trip to the Grand Canyon in the mix and he's sure to be overlooked - bad wife.

M is a good man, not only I say so: my father's favourite description of him - 'champion'. He is honourable, trustworthy and reliable. He's quiet, a clown when he wants to be, and true to his word. Over fifteen years ago, he attracted my attention because his friends spoke so well of him. They respected and esteemed him; those qualities required closer inspection of the man.

That is what drew me to him. I married him because of his strong faith, dependability and financial savvy. I knew I was making the right choice when one of my students said to me, "Ma'am, he treats you like a queen." Which woman doesn't want to be queen in her man's life?

We've stayed married because of our faith, our shared interests, and the fun we have together. We laugh a lot. I didn't know I was funny until I married M. He understands my humour and laughs at my jokes. Also, he's a good hugger and a great kisser.

But the greatest attribute he has brought to our life together is his capacity to change. He's not the man I married fourteen years ago. And just as well, as I am not the same woman he married over a decade ago. I often think that I'm all M wanted in a wife and nothing he expected. His capacity to change has allowed our marriage to grow and he's given me room to explore and be more myself. This is one of his greatest gifts to me.

Honey, I love you and I'm so glad we're still journeying through life together. Happy Birthday! The best is yet to come.