While this isn't from our first date, it sure is a good picture

Today is the day I talked to you about us. I don’t remember all that was said, but I do remember that I started out ‘the talk’ by saying something like, “I kind of like you … [insert some more stuff about why I like you and about how I wanted to see if we should get married to each other] …. So what do you think about that?”

“Yes,” was the word that came out of your lips, a classic Jess response – one where you said what was on your mind without really answering the question.

4 years later, I am so glad you said yes.

I love Jess because makes me mix metaphors.

I love Jess because she makes me think here father was a ham burglar because it looks like someone took to fine hams and stuck them down the back of her pants.

I love Jess because she’s a woman, with a capital W.

I love Jess because she seeks to be a woman of the word.

I love Jess because she drops it like its hot.

26 years ago today, you were brought into this world.

26 years ago today, my life was changed – and yet I did not know it. I had no way of knowing how your beauty would change me, how your life would captivate me, and how your presence would comfort me.

26 years ago today is one of the best days in my experience of human history. For on it, many of my other best days became possible.

So on this anniversary of your birth – my darling, my beautiful one – I would that you would feel the glory of your birth. That the weight of your importance and significance would rest upon your heart and that deep inside a joy would spring forth that finds delight in the beauty of God’s plan for you and for me.

I love you, Jess, and happy birthday!

I remember my best birthday ever,  and now on that same day two years later I want to let you know how deeply and how truely I love you.  Your heart has made me so happy these few short years we have had together.  You have been such a joy to get to know and to love.  I adore you.

if a corncob pipe I carried
and made of snow I be
then I would gladly melt
in a warm embrace
if it meant that I got to hold you