to the man I love...

You came to me at 38, one of eleven and a large Catholic family at that {said the Lutheran}.

The bachelor who toured with the Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company and sang singing telegrams {in a purple Speedo}, captured my attention 17 years ago.  I am so happy that you've found other ways to share your gift with the world, and I will never tire of listening to your beautiful voice. 

I didn't know what I was getting into, but I knew YOU were the one I wanted to play house with for the rest of my life.  I have been told you are the image of your father, whom I never met.  I am so very thankful to your parents for the man they raised.  I am blessed.

You make my heart skip a beat.

You fill our plates daily with lovingly-made, thoughtful nourishment.

You work very hard "in brown" in the mornings, so that in the afternoon you can make our house a home.

Your "honey-do" list, while still long, is never far from your daily tasks.

Your laughter can fill a room.

Your smile fills my heart.

The way you have raised our boys makes me proud.

Your unconditional love & support, while I fulfilled my dream and gave birth to three children who were not your own, was -  and still is - amazing!

And while our boys may say "we live in a house of sarcasm",

and some may not understand that banter = love @ 3513,
I am proud to say, I love every single minute of it... 

and

I love you!

xo

Happy Birthday, John Paul!