Hi sweetness,
It's me writing from work. The place where I can seem to think for a few minutes before the patients roll in and the demands begin. It never ends, does it? The constant demands from each corner of this thing called life.
I remember meeting you nearly twelve years ago. You were dirty and fresh from work and I took one look at you and knew I had to get to know you better. Knocking on your door a few days later was the best, most life altering decision I ever made. Fresh from high school heart break, I stood at your door broken, yet knowing that would soon end. You fixed me. You showed me what love really was.
I loved you from our very first date - we both drank tea and added two sugars. You held my hand on the drive home and played with the makeshift wire ring you made me at dinner. You were 20 and I was 19. And I knew.
We were inseparable. Our lives seamlessly intertwined and our days become full of each other. We laughed together, ate dinners of cereal and Ramen noodles, and just relished in our togetherness. I knew my future held you in it. I knew you'd be mine. I've had friends who have told me our relationship is inspiring and ask if we ever fight. Of course we do, but here's the secret - we also find solutions together.
We've been through a lot - years of living apart, sick kiddos, job changes. We've had happy and we've had sad, but we've always been a team.
I am hot-headed and quick to explode. You are calm and collected, looking and analyzing all options. Me - I ride it out. That is why we work so well together. I can look at you and know how much you love me, despite the stretch marks and dark circles. I can see how much you love our children - our beautiful, independent children - and know how much you love me.
I can see the hurt on your face when I come home at 9 pm after working for 13 straight hours. I know you feel bad that I've been at work this long. I want you to know that I am perfectly okay with the chaos that is my life, our life. I wouldn't change it for a minute.
Even after the worst day that is filled with demands I fall short of or to do lists I never get finished, that hug and kiss on the forehead at the end of the day are enough to get me going again. Those two small bodies wedged between us are enough to give me the motivation. You, my dear husband, you are always enough.
I love you so much. We have grown up together and we are as close as two people can get. I truly believe that God led me to you. You are steadfast and dedicated, passionate and sweet. The small things you do - coffee in the morning, kids freshly bathed - I may not say thank you enough, but those little things mean the world to me.
You and our kids mean the world to me. My life would not be the same without you. I adore you, Luke. Thank you for being you and for loving me no matter what. I love you.
