on your birthday

Today, Allen turns 30 and I’ve thought of at least 30 ways to give him a big shout out on the blog. Instead, I think I’m going to tell you a story about another birthday of his that I’ll never forget.

It was on Allen’s birthday that he proposed to me. Right back in the same place we met. It was genius, really. I never for a moment thought he would be putting a ring on my finger, I thought it was just a great spot for a birthday picnic. I think back to the day, years ago and still remember it like it were yesterday. Actually, I probably remember it better than some things that happened yesterday. The details, the weather, the things he said, the crazy butterflies.

We were young, probably too young to be engaged, and definitely too young to care if anyone thought that we were.

Sometimes I wonder if he really knew what he was getting himself into when he asked me to marry him.

I laugh because we thought we had it all figured out and less than a year later, we were married and on our own. I burned my fair share of dinners and he undercooked food on the grill on a regular basis. I fussed about the trash being taken out way too often, as he rolled his eyes at the newest item I added to my closet.  I think back to those years fairly often, so young and so in love. The love part was enough, it has always been, it will always be. We were living in a space a third of the size of the house we live in now, but those were some of the best times.

And then I think, if he didn’t know what he was bargaining for on that chilly February day, I’m certain that God did and it fell right into his perfect plan.

Our engagement seemed to fly by, just like the years that we’ve acquired from that fateful February day to this February day.

Here’s to you, Allen, on your birthday.

Thank you for sharing your birthday with another special day in my life.

I am incredibly blessed to call you my husband, and I can’t wait to spend so many more birthdays with you. No matter how old you get or how many birthdays you have, the one when I got to say yes will always be my favorite.

I look forward to filling in the gap from the day to that present with great memories. This year is going to be life changing, as we welcome our son, and change our dynamic from a family of three to a family of four.

But, if the years have taught us anything, it’s only going to get better. Here’s to your thirties, may the years continue to bring us happiness and be filled with love.