Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!
I was really hoping I could find that e-card, but you'll have to settle for this audio instead. Pretty sure it will make you smile, anyway.
I got you birthday cards (which you've probably already seen by now), but I wanted to do a little more. I wanted to try and convey how much I love you, and how glad (and so very lucky) I am to have you in my life. Especially as we gear up for another adventure.
It's not our first. Those came about years ago when we lived in different places. Writers conferences. Quick weekend trips. The time I tried to take a french fry off your plate and you gave me that first Mom look.
I tried to warn you, so many times, emailing you about every one of my faults and bad habits. But you wouldn't have any of that. And I packed up all my stuff (and there was a lot of it), and brought it to your house. I got there late at night, and the kids were asleep, and you showed me the cake you guys got to welcome me.
Then the two of us, and Panda and Reno and Yodette, Zorra, Sobie, Zorro (Stinky) and Seymour (Cheeseball) started our next adventure. Together.
Even after all these years, I like writing that last word. Together.
We all got to know each other. And I proposed at Red Lobster with a ring in a box that had a spotlight in it (after I'd double-checked with you at Claim Jumper the night before, to give you one last chance to escape.
And we navigated the waters of wedding-planning, and went Vegas to see Elvis (and assorted family, friends and Elton John).
Then home for our first married adventures.
Bowling. Picking up kids from school. Juggling jobs that, at least at times, made us less than happy. On opposite schedules, which I flipped on Fridays so I could spend time with you.
Bankruptcy. Panda's car accident. Reno's water polo career. You recorded a Christmas album (mostly because I pushed you). I started a Christmas online station (mostly because you pushed me). Lots of visits to Disneyland.
You started publishing books. I went back to my upside-down schedule to try and help keep us from sharing shoes in the median.
Psychic Tapestry. Unemployment. Mystery parishioner left you money. Myztic Isle. Comic-Con.
So many adventures.
The ones over the last year or so haven't been great. But it has been great that we've made it through them together. That has made all the difference.
And now, shortly after this birthday, we'll embark on our next one.
I know today's birthday is bittersweet, not just because it's your last birthday in San Diego (at least, for a while), but that's certainly part of it.
I want you to know that I love you so very much. And I'm so grateful that through all the ups and downs and uncertainty, you're still willing to go through all this with me.
Today marks the 15th time we've celebrated your birthday as a married couple. Together. And while I don't have much in the way of material things to give you as a gift today, I'd like to re-gift something.
My heart.
I gave that to you a long time ago. And if I could, if it needed some kind of renewal after 15 birthdays, I give it to you again today.
And I give my heart to you again tomorrow. And the day after. And next year on what may be your first Florida birthday. And all of our tomorrows.
Happy Birthday, my Lisa. I love you with all my heart and all my soul and all my everything.
I got you birthday cards (which you've probably already seen by now), but I wanted to do a little more. I wanted to try and convey how much I love you, and how glad (and so very lucky) I am to have you in my life. Especially as we gear up for another adventure.
It's not our first. Those came about years ago when we lived in different places. Writers conferences. Quick weekend trips. The time I tried to take a french fry off your plate and you gave me that first Mom look.
I tried to warn you, so many times, emailing you about every one of my faults and bad habits. But you wouldn't have any of that. And I packed up all my stuff (and there was a lot of it), and brought it to your house. I got there late at night, and the kids were asleep, and you showed me the cake you guys got to welcome me.
Then the two of us, and Panda and Reno and Yodette, Zorra, Sobie, Zorro (Stinky) and Seymour (Cheeseball) started our next adventure. Together.
Even after all these years, I like writing that last word. Together.
We all got to know each other. And I proposed at Red Lobster with a ring in a box that had a spotlight in it (after I'd double-checked with you at Claim Jumper the night before, to give you one last chance to escape.
And we navigated the waters of wedding-planning, and went Vegas to see Elvis (and assorted family, friends and Elton John).
Then home for our first married adventures.
Bowling. Picking up kids from school. Juggling jobs that, at least at times, made us less than happy. On opposite schedules, which I flipped on Fridays so I could spend time with you.
Bankruptcy. Panda's car accident. Reno's water polo career. You recorded a Christmas album (mostly because I pushed you). I started a Christmas online station (mostly because you pushed me). Lots of visits to Disneyland.
You started publishing books. I went back to my upside-down schedule to try and help keep us from sharing shoes in the median.
Psychic Tapestry. Unemployment. Mystery parishioner left you money. Myztic Isle. Comic-Con.
So many adventures.
The ones over the last year or so haven't been great. But it has been great that we've made it through them together. That has made all the difference.
And now, shortly after this birthday, we'll embark on our next one.
I know today's birthday is bittersweet, not just because it's your last birthday in San Diego (at least, for a while), but that's certainly part of it.
I want you to know that I love you so very much. And I'm so grateful that through all the ups and downs and uncertainty, you're still willing to go through all this with me.
Today marks the 15th time we've celebrated your birthday as a married couple. Together. And while I don't have much in the way of material things to give you as a gift today, I'd like to re-gift something.
My heart.
I gave that to you a long time ago. And if I could, if it needed some kind of renewal after 15 birthdays, I give it to you again today.
And I give my heart to you again tomorrow. And the day after. And next year on what may be your first Florida birthday. And all of our tomorrows.
Happy Birthday, my Lisa. I love you with all my heart and all my soul and all my everything.
