“And you can tell everybody, that this is your song. It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done; I hope you don’t mind, that I put down in words, how wonderful life is while you’re in the world.” -Elton John

Dear Husband,

We have made it through life together for sixteen years! Can you believe it? That’s almost half of my life that I have spent with you, and my only regret is that I didn’t decide to love you sooner. You are my best friend, and I am so lucky to have you. I probably don’t tell you that enough, so in honor of our anniversary, I’m going to immortalize it on the Internet and shout it from the proverbial rooftops.

I realize that I am not the easiest person to live with. I’m stubborn, and I really do think I’m right like 99% of the time. I am in a constant state of anxiously awkward randomness, and most times I can’t even admit that I really like myself. I appreciate that you love me, not in spite of my flaws, but because of them. You know how to make me feel like maybe, just maybe, I’m not that terrible after all. You reassure me of my worth, and you make me feel like I matter.

Marriage and parenting are hard. Like, really hard. No matter how much the day has sucked, no matter how tired and stressed out we are, even if a kid is mid-meltdown, I know that we are going to find something to laugh at and then move on like nothing ever happened. You’re my light at the end of the tunnel, and I know that we can make it through anything life decides to throw at us.

You’re a great dad. TJ loves that he shares similar interests with you, and Taylor really enjoys knowing that her “puppy eyes” will get her anything she asks you for.

“It’s only forever. It’s not long at all.” -David Bowie

No matter how many years we get to spend together, it will never be enough. I can’t wait to be old and cranky with you, yelling at the neighborhood kids to “get off our lawn.” Even now, after all of these years, I still find new things to love about you every day. You’re my happily ever after, my nerd in aluminum foil, and my best friend. Always.

Happy 16^th Anniversary. I love you.

-Your Wifey