A Birthday Letter

Dear Erick,

Today, my love, is your 32nd birthday. I get to do something special for you and shower you with gifts and kisses and more. And all this fuss? You’re worth it. Sometimes I don’t think you realize just how deeply loved, how celebrated, how completely and absolutely worth it you are.

You are kind. You are giving and thoughtful and sensitive. Even if you’ll scoff at the mere mention of those things, you always go out of your way for those you love. You will give your last $10 to a friend because, as you would probably say, that’s what friends do. You will exhaust yourself to make the people in your life feel important. You do it because your heart is vast and wide and deep. You think it’s simple, to live your life that way, but everyone who knows you thinks it’s anything but.

You are smart in indescribable ways. If you don’t know something, you take the time to figure it out. You are hardworking and motivated and determined, but you also forgive yourself when your knowledge falls short. You’re modest, yet confident in your abilities. You know exactly who you are and what you’re after, and I admire you so much for that.

You are funny, but not quite as funny as you think. Sometimes when I laugh with you, I’m totally laughing at you. But you know why? Your laugh is my favorite sound on earth. I never tell you how lame your jokes can be because I know as soon as you deliver the punchline, you’re going to double over in laughter. And so I hold my breath. I wait.

And then I fall in love with you again.

And again.

Your love – your faithful and unwavering love – makes me a better person.

This year, we took a leap of faith by deciding to marry each other. Things have been generally amazing and beautiful, but I know there will be days you will no longer find my tantrums – as you always say – cute. There will be days we’d annoy the hell out of each other.

But, on our worst day together, I have never, I will never – not for a minute, not for a second – be without a reason to celebrate your presence in my life. I have never known anyone worth celebrating more than you.

As your wife, and as your very best friend, I will always celebrate you.

Love always,
Gela