Happy Birthday Little Eddie!

To my own personal April fool, and I mean that in the most loving way, happy birthday! On April 25th, it will be 23 years since I met you on our blind date.  Who da thunk?  I still remember every detail.  We clicked the minute we met.  Thank goodness I liked the shoes you were wearing, or that would have been it for you!  Thank goodness for Stacy and Adam, who set us up, or there would be no "us."  Isn't it funny how simple events unknowingly become life changing ones?  

I love your sense of humor, even though sometimes it's so corny it makes me look at you and say "that's stupid."

I love your ability to laugh at yourself and how comfortable we have come to be with each other over the years.

I love that you are so level headed and logical. As a matter of fact, you're so even-keeled, the boys and I can't help but laugh when you get mad.  So not threatening. What can we say?  You're too nice.

I love how you make me feel safe.  I know that should the need arise, anything in our house can be fixed, assembled, or figured out by you.  It's amazing to me that we've never called the cable man, a plumber, an electrician, a mechanic or a handyman.  

I love how you cook and clean.  Who couldn't love that?

I love how you have been a great father and role model to our boys.  So involved, supportive and not afraid to show affection.

I love your optimism.  We have endured so many challenging times during our life together--my bout with breast cancer, the passing of your parents, Alex's accident, the recent loss of your job, and throughout it all you have displayed such integrity and determination to overcome each challenge, all while maintaining your positive outlook on life.   As you like to say "it is what it is."

They say that "opposites attract" and I believe it. You are patient, I am a hot-blooded Filipino who lives with a sense of urgency.  You are easy going, I like to ask a lot of questions, never take "I don't know" for an answer and always need to understand "why." Our personal thermostats couldn't be further apart than heaven and hell.  You like to stay up late, I can't wait to crawl in bed!  You are flexible, I am particular.  You are willing to try any kind of food.  I don't like experimenting with my meals.  I need to have the window blinds open to a certain degree, you can sleep with the closet door open at night (don't you know that's how the monsters get out?). You are rational, I am so not rational.  But one area where we are the same for now is our age!  Hah!  You can't give me crap for another eight months.

Happy birthday, honey.  I'll let you know where we're going for your birthday dinner. What can I say, you're flexible, I'm not.

I love you.