I can’t believe today marks the day we were married 15 years ago. What an amazing 15 years it has been. As I reflect on my relationship with you over the years, my mind is filled with memories and thoughts I hope I can share with you. There are also a few things that I’m not completely sure if I’ve ever told you.

First, I forgave you a long time ago for not remembering me in our first class together in high school. Not just because you were a mighty senior and I the lowly Sophomore but also because you took the time to find out who I was when I remembered you and thanked you by name for coming to that high school play I was in a year later. Moreover, once you found out who I was you called and asked me out on a date. I knew you had a special way with me from the first phone call that magically cured me from being sick (my mom gave me plenty of grief over that.) I was so delighted to finally get asked out on a date by someone that was “cool” in my eyes. And just so you know, you’re still the ultimate “cool” guy to me. (I hope you’ve forgiven me for insulting your orange camaro. *wink*)

Thank you for writing the first letter after that date when I went to NY for the summer and you left for your mission. If it hadn’t been for that letter I’m confident that our friendship would not have grown over the next two years through our letter writing. Additionally, if you hadn’t called me after moving to Arizona we would not be where we are today. I will never forget the awe over the confidence I found in you through those long phone calls that were oh so expensive - - -even after 11 PM! I shared things with you I thought I’d never tell another soul and I knew we had something really special.

Thank you for coming back to me when I set you free.

Thank you for believing in me and all that I could become. For supporting me in my first couple of jobs and feeding my confidence when I began a career as an office administrator in an office of 60 male engineers. For trusting me completely as I spread my wings trying new things and exploring new horizons. Thanks for giving me the boost and support that kept me up. Thank you for helping me transform from the cocoon of self consciousness about my physical self into the butterfly you saw in me. There are not words to express the feelings of overcoming that personal Goliath and to be made to feel beautiful and accepted so completely by someone who I knew loved me with all their heart.

Thank you for standing firm by my side through all those long years with no children and my strong desire to be a mother. For not giving up on me when additional hormones and medical advisement became part of our most intimate relationship in an effort to reach that goal. Thank you for being my rock when they failed.

Thank you for being the parent I could not be the first night to our amazing daughter. Thank you for helping nurse me back to health in our motel room after the emotional and physical wipe-out that hit me in the wee hours of that first morning as a mom. And thank you not letting me beat myself up about it, but recognize the situation for what it was.

Thank you for being strong enough to cry with me when both our children were placed in our arms.

Thank you for being the best daddy in the world. For spending time playing with and talking with our children. For setting the best example for them in every aspect of their lives. Thank you for helping them with math in school - something I could never do. Thank you for playing endless hours of games with them and spoiling them rotten. And thank you most profoundly for recognizing my efforts and job as full time mom. Thank you for being man enough to admit that there are things about my job that are harder than your day job. I don’t think you know how truly unique that is.

Thank you for being my anchor and caregiver during my time of uncertainty. For holding me up when I couldn’t walk and stepping up to fill the voids left from my illness. For the long months of continuous unknowns and rehabilitation. Thank you for being strong enough that I knew if I didn’t make it you’d be alright. Thank you for being strong enough to never let me go. Thank you for helping me face one of the greatest trials of my life and for sharing in the growth that came from such a trial. Thank you for never giving up even when the aftermath of that time was most devastating. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Well my dear, we are definitely stronger! (But let’s never do either again okay?)

Thank you for being so smart. Thank you for going to school to get the necessary degrees to provide so well for our family. For making it possible for me to be a stay at home mom with our children. Thank you for buying me more than one beautiful home and countless things that make my life easier and more enjoyable. Thank you for buying us such a wonderful new TV when our old one died this spring. And thank you for having it paid for within a few months to put my worrying mind at ease. I know I don’t say thank you enough for these things and I’m sure I speak way too often of wishing we had just a little more money for something else or to stock up my emotional storage for self reliance and preparation for anything. I hope you recognize how amazing your career and advancements have been not just over our marriage but especially within the past two years. You have always been a dream maker and dream chaser. I have no doubt that you will reach every one you set for yourself. Thank you for wanting to do amazing things for yourself and for me.

For years I’d tell you at bed time “Good night sweet prince.” You’d smile at me with those eyes that twinkled like stars. I loved that look on your face. I never gave the words much thought, they were just something that stuck for me. Who knew that you’d surpass the status of prince so quickly and boldly to that of King? The mark of royalty in my book is the ability to care for others so completely. You my dear, have mastered this trait with me. You are always so aware and so kind considering my needs and wants. You leave me so complete and so satisfied in all areas of my life. I’m not sure if I tell you that enough either. It feeds my strong desire to return the favor, doing, being and giving all I can for you and your every happiness. It is a beautiful circle of reciprocation and the key to our growing love and strong marriage.

When we were first married I hated hearing people tell me that we didn’t know anything about love. I hated that they dismissed the most beautiful and passionate love we found and shared. I remember telling you on our honeymoon that my ultimate goal was for people to never be able to recognize in us when the honeymoon was over. Okay, I was a bit naive about life growing and changing at that time. But what I realize now is that it’s not about not knowing anything about love, but not being able to comprehend what places that love could grow if nourished with many years behind it. New love is different from long love - still an intrinsic part of long love but only a part. It is an amazing thing to feel so much more than I ever thought possible for another human being. I can see now why time is required too because I’m certain my being could not have contained all the feelings I have today 15 years ago. It simply would have been too much. Thank you for helping me nourish and grow our love.

So on this our 15th anniversary I tell you with all the feeling of my heart how much I truly love you. How grateful I am for every moment of our relationship spanning nearly two decades now from that first meeting in a class in high school and how happy you make me. Thank you for sharing every part of yourself with me and allowing me to do the same. I look forward to the next 15 years although I can’t comprehend it based on how far we’ve already come. But with you by my side I know anything is possible.

Yours Forever,
Holly

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