Today is our anniversary and that fact makes me happier than you could ever imagine.  I look around us and realize we are surrounded with stories of those who have chosen to throw in the towel.  Together we have chosen to get up every morning and fight another day for our love.  I feel blessed to have you by my side every step of this journey we are on together.  I’m not sure what methods others have employed when looking for a mate but I was always very aware I was in search of the other half of myself…..that half that made me a want to be better.  I knew the traits that were most important to me and I searched endlessly until I was able to put a face to the image I had already created of you in my head.  I continued this same route unapologetically and felt blessed beyond measure when we finally decided to share our lives together.  Upon realizing you were the one I had prayed for I discovered God had given me everything I asked for, quite a few things I had forgotten to ask for, and a lot of things I never knew I needed. 

 

To know that we have now survived yet another year of battles makes me even more thankful.  I love living life with you.  The late night conversations about life and the future, your reassuring touch in the middle of the night, the way you always make me feel like the most important person in the room are just a few of the things I have come to appreciate.  As time has passed we have both experienced our own share of war wounds and have the scars to prove it.  We have traveled roads I never expected to travel yet emerged even stronger.  We have dealt with hardships that would have made others give up.  Yet again, we chose to press forward.  Among the ashes we have found great beauty.  These bodies may be weary from battle but our foundation remains strong simply because we have Him.  He is that hidden, yet not so hidden element that urges us on and provides us with strength during those weaker moments.  If given the chance to do it all again I would choose you over, and over, and over again.  You are my choice every time. 

 

I have listened intently as you have spoken of the gray hairs that have appeared as of late.  I have watched as you viewed your reflection and complained of the lines that are now beginning to appear around your eyes and on your face.  These things, my dear, make you even more beautiful to me.  If I am being honest I never knew that was even possible.  I pray you learn to wear these marks you don’t seem to care for with honor.  They are truly the sign of a greater beauty that is to come and is currently blooming into fruition.  I admit you were gorgeous the day we married but your beauty today is so much greater.  Even better, tomorrow’s beauty will eclipse todays.  I don’t know what tomorrow or the next day holds but with you by my side and with God leading us it doesn’t matter.  While I am thankful for yet another year to share and celebrate with you I am even more excited I get to experience this next year, and again the next.  I firmly believe the best is yet to come and I could not imagine anyone else but you by my side till death parts us.

I look forward to forever.

All My Love,

B