Dear Husband, Happy Anniversary

Dear Husband,

Happy anniversary to you. To us. We've been through so much already and our family and friends know how hard we work to make good lives for ourselves, each other, and little S. Some people may think we're still too young to know what true love, real life, and marriage mean. But you and I know that's not true. We know that marriage is hard work, but well worth it when we put the time in. We know that coming home after a long day (or night, in most recent cases) at work, nothing feels better than to look into each others' eyes and say, "I love you. Thank you." In the seven years I've spent knowing you, learning you and loving you, and the four that we've been married, I've also gotten to know, learned, and started truly loving myself. You taught me a lot of that. Thank you for making me a better person and for reminding me that I'm beautiful on the inside and out. Thank you for smiling at me when I'm upset. You know that's all it takes to make me laugh, even when I don't want to. Thank you for rubbing my neck and shoulders, even when you haven't slept in two days. Most of all, thank you for giving me the greatest gift ever: our little S. You are the most amazing father, with so much love and compassion. You put forth a lot of effort that you may think goes unrecognized, but it doesn't. I notice. I'll try harder to make sure that you're aware of how thankful I am for you and your parenting.

During the summer of 2003, thank you for quitting being such a hard-head and finally giving that crazy, alcoholic, partying sorority girl a chance. Thank you for making me realize that I didn't need those things to have fun. I just needed you. Thank you for letting me be a free bird and an independent woman, not asking questions all the time, but just letting me buzz around in temporary insanity until I've met whatever final destination I'm seeking on that given day. 

You've completed me this far and I can't wait to experience more and more years of this exciting, twisting, turning roller coaster of a ride that we've created together. With all the ups and downs, you still give me butterflies.

I love you.

Kimberly

Sigma Alpha Iota Formal, Spring 2006

Wedding, September 30, 2006

Friend's Wedding, Summer 2007

Contract Signing for our New House, January 2008

Baby Shower, November 2008

Little S- 3 Weeks Old, February 2009

Family at the Park, Spring 2010

I love you.