Julian,

Fifteen years? Are you kidding me? How did that go so slow and so fast in equal parts?

Who knew? I sure didn’t. I mean, I knew I’d be married to you 15 years later, but I didn’t know we’d survive, you know…survive a lot of crap. I mean look at us in this picture – so young and full of hope! Thinner! More hair! We still got it, babe.

And yet, we still wake up each morning committed to our marriage. A marriage of mutual respect and understanding. A marriage of forgiveness. A marriage of humor. You make me laugh nearly every single day because you are able to see the ridiculousness of our life in just the way I need for you to a the exact moment I need you to. We both understand that our humor is what gets us through the hard times because if we let our guard down for one minute, we might fall apart.

We both understand that could very well happen – the falling apart. I think what makes us unique is that we understand that we can’t fall apart at the same time and when each of us senses the other one is close to the edge of falling apart we take over for the other person. That’s what I love about you – you can be tormented for a period of time, yet you understand that my torment is just a smidge greater and you embrace it enough for it to fade.

We’ve had good times, right? Luckily we still allow ourselves to be a couple against the world. I know – and it’s a great comfort to me daily – that you put me and our kids first for every decision you make and everything you ever consider for our family. As a wife and your partner I’m endeared more to you each day because of that and so much more.

But not by the way you chew bananas. Does it have to be so loud? And while I’m at it, you swallow loudly, too. Which I really did once think you did on purpose to annoy me until I realized that our daughter drinks loudly as well. It’s genetic. Crap. We’re full of genetic surprises.

You are a great husband. I’m not just saying that because it’s our anniversary. It’s true. I hate to say it, but I kind of feel sorry for all the people that can’t be married to someone just like you. Because there is no way they could be as happy with their spouse as I am with you. Being married to you is a joy and a privilege. And when Gage talks about your 31 ex-girlfriends I always think, even still, that I beat them out and how awesome that is for me and not for them. Can’t manufacture those feelings is what I say.

I have to thank you for…bringing me diet cokes without me asking, never making me kill a bug or take out trash, or take Gage to boy scouts. Thanks for letting me laugh at you when you are in your boy scouts uniform, thanks for dissing the same people with me and for always sticking up for me. Thanks for not making me go to sporting events when I don’t want to. Thanks for encouraging me to have time alone to pursue my own interests. Thanks for looking at your relationship with your father and creating new paths for your own fatherhood. Thanks for making me laugh and knowing when to keep your mouth shut — it’s a gift, you know?

You are remarkable person. And even if I wasn’t married to you, I’d want to be around you. That’s saying something, right? I wish all of our friends could enjoy a LEGAL marriage like we can. Maybe before our next 15 years of marriage that will happen.

Happy Anniversary. I love you.

Julia

PS – I LOVED our wedding. Thanks for changing my mind about having one with our family and friends with us. You were right all along , through the rough times it’s been and will continue to be something wonderful to look back at and remember with joy.