Thank You.

Thank you. There is something to be said for a person who is able to accept and fully love a child as his own.. even more to love that child the same way that you do your own. There's a special place in heaven for a person who effortlessly ensures that a child never feels want or as if something as essential as a parent is missing from their life. This kind of person is rare at most. Thank you for being this person to my son. Thank you for having the ability to go beyond words and actually sharing doting love without even a hint of favoritism or difference. You're amazing. Thank you for wanting nothing more than to be the one that he runs to and claims as his own. I am overfilled with thanks... Thank you for being present when another is non-existent. Thank you for making him your priority in life. Thank you for allowing him the chance to never know what it's like to not have a father, even more: a Dad. Thank you for making special time for him, just you and him. Thank you for putting him first above yourself. Thank you for taking away my own feelings of guilt and worry for his future and replacing them with ever abundant, unconditional love. Thank you for giving him your last name.

Thank you for being you.

If my heart could cry, it would. If my eyes could laugh with joy, they would. If my smile could dance, it would. If my words could turn into doves and fly to the heavens in thanks of you.. they would.

These things and more have me forever, wholeheartedly, full-forcedly in love with you and always will.. And for this.. I thank you.

Hugh

I love you, Hugh. I was twenty-two when we met. I love that I knew, even then, that there was just something about you that intrigued me in such a way that meeting you would forever change my life.. I love that my first thoughts of you were: Wow. He's tall. He's quiet. I like his hat. Did he just say "Howdy"??!.. I love that you can always make me laugh in any situation. I love that you TRIED to get lost on one of our first dates to spend more time together but couldn't, then decided to just pull over. I love the memories I have of you studying while I painted my "studio". I love that you are the most authentic, honest person I have ever known and consequently, are THE WORST liar! I love that the sound of dial-up reminds me of you. I love that you write me notes and unfinished letters when you are deployed but wait until you're home to give them to me. I love that you are so fully complete in your forgiveness. I love that you insist on replaying a song over and over until you get it right on your harmonica. I love that you play the harmonica. I love the way you smell. I love that you pretend you're playing an atari version video game while driving on long trips, blasting the other passersby. I love that you find any and every excuse to use your power tools: Christmas trees, photo hanging, light bulb changing... I love that you cannot contain your laughter, tho you try. I love that you genuinely ARE a good person. I love your strange knowledge of the classic rock genre. I love (although it really does drive me crazy!) that you constantly quiz me on mine. I love, really really love, thinking about the time you thought you were going to fall off the roof while hanging Christmas lights. I love that you still write love notes to me. I love that you're the worst appologizer in the world. I love that you're fearless. I love that I still get butterflies. I love that you're so moral and unashamed for being so. I love that you are the epitome of integrity. I love that you can read my mind. I love "the look". I love that you can sleep anywhere. I love that you insist I practice my balance by walking on your back. I love your immense intelligence. I love watching you wrestle and play with our kids. I love that you love them so much and that they cherish you in return. I love that our kids admire you. I love that I love you so much. I love thoughts of growing old and wrinkly together. I love that you sing along with the radio. I love your stupid raps. I love that you told me I was beautiful even when I told you not to.. I love the way WE hold hands. I love that just being with you has made me a better person. I love that I WANT to be a better person bc of you. I love that you love me. I love that you convinced me to marry you, bc you just knew that we would be great. I love that you were right.



I love you.



Happy Birthday, Hugh... six days late!