Since My Anniversary Is Tomorrow, A Tribute To My Husband

4/4/2011

Tomorrow, April 5th, 2011 marks my 3rd wedding anniversary to a man who has proven to be not only the love of my life, but my best friend as well. This photo is a few years old, and was taken before he finally decided to cut his hair and look like a presentable member of society. What can I say? I've always liked the bad boy image! However, my husband is not the bad boy he once was, and he truly has a heart of gold. He is the most caring, loyal, and genuine man I have ever known, and I am so lucky to be his wife and the mother of his children. (And for the record, I am THRILLED with his new, clean-cut appearance. For awhile, he was frightening small children when we went grocery shopping!)

Anyway, I have actually known my husband for the better part of 17 years. I met him when I was 13 (and didn't look it) and he was 17. I used to hang out at the local mall because that's what the "cool kids" did, and he and a group of friends approached me and started talking to me. I remember being impressed, because he didn't have any corny pick-up line. (Even at the age of 13, I had heard them all. One of the worst was "Excuse me Miss, Can I use your butt as a hat?") He just confidently walked-up to me, smiled, and said "Hi, I'm Dan." What a concept! A guy who was comfortable enough with himself to just be....well, himself! I remember we got along very well, even back then. We dated for a few months, which as a kid is an eternity, and as kids do, we went our separate ways, with no hard feelings. We even remained friends for awhile.

Well, time went on...We both married and divorced psychopaths, and eventually, he found me again on MySpace of all places. This was YEARS ago, back when people actually used MySpace,lol. I remember being apprehensive about meeting up with him again. After all, I was at the end of what was a long and abusive relationship and I had a very young son to take care of, and I wasn't sure if Dan was still the "bad boy" I remembered. I was past that stage, and was ready to find a NICE guy. He was persistent, though. He sent me numerous IM's and we had several phone conversations. Finally, after a couple months of me avoiding him, I agreed to meet him at Denny's, a nice public place, to catch up and talk with an old friend. Nothing more, nothing less. That day literally changed my life.

I pulled into the Denny's parking lot, and there he was, leaning against the Celica he was driving at the time. I was nervous and pretended not to see him. I was heading into the restaurant, and he came up behind me and put his arm around me and said "Hi! Looking for me?" Time seemed to stand still while we were there...We laughed and talked, and reminisced about old times. He was the same, but he wasn't the same...The boy I had thought I loved as a child was now a man. We were at Denny's for hours and hours...From about 8:00PM-8:00AM. By the time we went to the parking lot, I knew this was the man I was meant to love. I wish I had known that all along, but sometimes I think things happen for a reason. Maybe I was meant to go through the horrible marriage I did so I could learn who I was. Plus, I got my son out of it, so I will never call it a mistake. It was literally like no time at all had passed. Like years of separation didn't mean a thing. We could still finish each others' sentences and read each others' thoughts... When he was walking me to my car, he gave me a hug. Nothing had ever felt so comfortable before. And then, to my complete and utter shock, he kissed me. I knew I was in love, but I didn't admit that to him... He asked me to be in a relationship with him, and I was afraid. I had a kid, and that was something new to him. I told him to think about it, and if he wanted, to ask again later. Needless to say, he did.

We dated for awhile, and then one night, after he was acting awfully strange and probably had a few too many drinks, we were doing....adult things....and he said to me, out of the blue, "So I was thinking about that piece of paper. Whaddaya think, huh?" Now I knew darn well what he was talking about, but I wasn't letting him off the hook that easily. If he was going to propose marriage, he was going to do it RIGHT. As wonderful and loving as my hubby is, he has never had a way with words,lol....Finally I agreed to marry him, and the rest, as they say, is history! We have been together for almost 6 years and married for 3 years tomorrow.

Now there is no such thing as a perfect man, but my Noodle is perfect for ME. He makes me laugh when I'm taking life far too seriously, and he puts things in perspective when I am unable to do so myself. He does the math and I correct his spelling and grammar...He is kind, caring, giving and gentle, and he is just enough of a smartass to keep things interesting. He complements me in every way possible, and we mesh together so perfectly that I am convinced he is my soul mate, if such a thing really exists. He is strong when I am weak, and he always gives a shoulder to cry on. He's a goofball, which can be annoying at times, but hey, that's just him.

My husband knows every Beach Boys song by heart,as cheesy as they are, and he isn't afraid to make a fool of himself by breaking into spontaneous dance...even in public. He randomly says bizarre and off the wall things, just to get me to crack a smile. He supports me in everything I do, and I am his biggest cheerleader in his endeavors. He has always been there to take care of me and our family. He even cleaned up 2 years worth of vomit during 2 back-to-back pregnancies in which I had chronic (and often projectile) morning sickness the ENTIRE 9 months, and he did so with no complaint. EVEN when I threw-up on him! Now if that's not a good guy, I don't know what is!

He is the best friend, husband, and father in the world. When I watch him hold and play with his babies, I fall in love with him all over again. He gives these kids all the love in the world, and is probably one of the most involved fathers I have ever seen. He is totally wrapped around our daughter's 16 month old finger, and he dotes on our 3 month old son. These kids bring out a tenderness in him that is a beautiful thing to witness. He even took in my oldest as his own, and acts as the dad that he didn't HAVE to be. I am so blessed, and so glad that my children have a REAL man to look up to as they grow up. I am lucky that he chose me to be his wife, when he probably could have had anyone he wanted. And tomorrow, we will be celebrating 3 wonderful years of marriage. I am more in love with him today than I ever have been. The man who holds my hand also holds my heart. So even though we can't afford gifts this year and probably won't do anything overly extravagant, it is sure to be a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

Wow, I'm a cheeseball! :) Mom, I don't want to hear it! I know you're either gagging or rolling your eyes at my sappiness,haha!