V-Day Love Letter

Dear Bearded Wonder,

What a year it has been. Yesterday you told me when you first met me, you thought I was the kind of person that would always have unique decorations and artwork on the walls of their home. Apparently you thought I was artsy and creative. Well, first impressions can be deceiving. But I bet you don’t know anyone who can fit 312 framed photographs on four shelves. Now THAT is creativity.

I bet you also didn’t think you’d be spending a large portion of your life watching reruns of Friends. I’m sure you thought we’d be going to independent movie houses to watch international films with subtitles instead of learning, once again, that Joey really likes sandwiches and Chandler didn’t make the ice dancing team in high school. You put up with my obsession with only a little growling, which I greatly appreciate. I know it’s the most annoying habit, but you let me get away with it. Just like how I never can seem to fully screw the lid on food containers or how I always leave just enough juice in the carton to quench the thirst of a small mouse. You love me, so you let me have my compulsions.

We’ve changed quite a bit in the past year. Last year at this time, I really wasn’t sure where our paths were leading. I just knew that I loved you, and I hoped it would be enough. We had a fantastic summer: Getting Molly from the shelter, drinking lethal amounts of alcohol at Royals games, moving in to the new house, changing jobs, starting your business, drinking lethal amounts of alcohol on a river [stream] in Arkansas while sporting a neck-coozy and straw hat, playing volleyball and drinking lethal amounts of alcohol on our God-awful rec team, going to concerts. It really was some of the most fun I’ve ever had with you. Perhaps someone up there knew it would be our last truly irresponsible summer and wanted to make sure we took full advantage. I’m glad we did.

Then there is the serious stuff. The unexpected pregnancy. The decisions that followed. I won’t go in to the scary stuff too much, but it was an amazingly difficult time. And I was inspired daily by your attitude and your positive outlook on our situation. You’ve always looked for an answer to our problems, which always seemed to lead to a solution. Even if that solution is to get the damn woman some cheesecake before her eyes melt into the back of her head!

You’ve helped me get through the past year with humor and grace, and I’m so excited for this year. 2006 is “The Year of the Bean” also known as “The Year of Taquita” or “The Year of the Belly.” I’m sure we have many more weeks of unexpected flatulence, teeth-grinding, and emotional outbursts involving chocolate. You are going to be such a good daddy. I think that’s what I’m most excited about, watching you with your daughter, and seeing how she helps us to grow even more than we ever thought we could.

Someone told me the other day that they thought it was so strange that I was married. They just couldn’t wrap their head around the fact that I was actually MARRIED. TO A BOY. TO YOU. The weirdest thing is that I’ve never really thought of it as strange. It just feels so natural. Like we’ve always been married. We just didn’t realize it yet.

Happy Valentine’s Day. I know this isn’t a flat-screen, or decorative wall ornaments, but I hope this shows how much you mean to me.

Love,
Your Baby Momma