Thursday, December 22, 2011

A Tribute to My One True Love

Today is my husband's birthday; the man who I adore.

My mind returns to the early days of our courtship--me, a young 16-year-old; him, a 19-year-old; both of us uniting, 4 years later, under the banner of marriage.

Each year I consider how I might properly pay tribute to my hero and each year I feel I fall short.  How can I celebrate a man who has taught me so much while watching me mature and come into womanhood?  Who has supported me through pregnancies, childbirth, miscarriages, school, work, and so much more?

I conclude that I cannot.  No celebration is worthy of his greatness; something I don't exaggerate--like I am living some fairy tale--but reference because it is my reality.  I have seen his faults, celebrated his victories, and continue to learn something new about him everyday (like how he prefers rainy over sunny days).  Yet I have found with each minute, day,  month, and year that he is still the perfect man for me.  He is my soul mate (a term I don't use lightly) and I will forever be grateful to the Universe in randomly uniting us.

So I must spoil him with gifts.  Books, clothes, food, and sleep.  As much sleep as he wants.

And I can gift him my words, though inadequate.

To My Sweetie:

I love you.  I love you so much that my heart verges on exploding leaving a pleasant yet intense pain in my chest.  Everyday I look at you and still feel those butterflies in my stomach.  I am shocked that you deigned to look upon me, let alone date me.  And when you asked for my hand in marriage?  That day in Alaska? Tears well up because I knew then, like I know now, that  no one else could compare to you.  My yes was not tentative nor did it come with caveats. I promised to support and encourage you in whatever decision you came upon.  So when you left for 2 years, and we broke off our engagement to make things easier, it was with heavy heart that I said good-bye.  My only solace came from nightly sob sessions as the hole in my heart grew.  But when we reunited, and you again asked me to marry you, I knew my future would only be complete with you in it.

I am proud of you and all that you've accomplished: undergraduate to medical school, you have worked your ass off and it shows.  Yet you've kept our family in mind in whatever decisions you've made.  Never letting things get in the way of our precious time together.

Last year, when things got tight, you picked up a second job.  This year, when it happened again, you supported me in working.  

You are the kindest, most compassionate man I know.   Thank you for teaching me the real meaning of Christ-like love, even after I left religion.  Without you, I would have still held onto my selfish tendencies; with you, I become a passionate person for those who are needy, under served, and far less privileged than we are.  

I love you. Let that encompass everything I feel toward you.

With complete adoration,

Amber

4 comments:

  1. Happy belated birthday to your guy. I'm so happy you have him!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Happy Belated Birthday to your hubby! Such a sweet and heartfelt tribute to your husband.

    ReplyDelete

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