To My Dusty Roads

Happy Birthday!

Before I met you, after talking to you one time on the phone, I knew I was going to marry you, a thought that came and went and I had decided I wasn't going to pay attention too. So when I finally did first meet you, you were barely 21, fresh off your mission, and your hair was dyed with blonde tips. You picked me up in that beat up old pickup truck with no AC wearing your faded blue shirt and your favorite Russian shoes (that seem to have been misplaced now). You opened the door for me got back in the truck and proceeded to sing the entire time we drove to pick up my friend for our double date with your friend. I remember thinking this is interesting and I am certainly NOT going to marry this guy.....

Now you are 29 and we have shared almost eight years together. I think about that first time I met you all the time, and I am so grateful for that day, even if our first date was not spectacular, it led the way for a second, third, forth...a long distance relationship, an interesting courtship spent refinishing furniture, a new move, big decisions, college graduations, bad decisions, new jobs, new hobbies, cruises, trials, hard times, laughter and tears, hard losses and unimaginable lows, new home, new baby, and new adventures. I am so grateful for you in my life, you are my ROCK in so many ways. If ever anyone was made for someone else, it is truly you for me. I have loved sharing your birthdays and every other day with you! I love you my Dusty Roads!