For ten years now - a full decade - I have been graced by your presence. You have been by my side, offering me relationship advice, quizzing me on trivia, and pushing me to follow my dreams. For ten years, you have put up with my annoying habits, rubbed my shoulders on an almost nightly basis, and wiped my tears away when I'm struggling to remember why I'm even crying in the first place.

You are, and always will be, the love of my life. I would be lying if I said I thought we'd be married when we first met that night in Mitch's basement. I mean, yes, I thought you were incredibly gorgeous. And yes, I stalked you on Facebook that night. But I don't think most high school sophomores assume the gorgeous college freshman that walked into the room unannounced is going to be their husband in a few short years. Unless you're Romeo and Juliet, I suppose.

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Power of Love Letters

Happy Birthday to the Love of My Life

I just want you to know how thankful I am that you arrived in my life. You showed up in a time of excitement and turmoil - a time when I was struggling, but also learning who I was - and I could not have asked for a better person to become my best friend. That instant connection I felt with you was obviously the start to something bigger - something better.

What can you say to the person who has changed your world for the better? In short, I suppose, you say thank you. Thank you for the movie dates where I rested my head on your shoulder and breathed in your scent. Thank you for the late night phone calls when we were living what seemed to be worlds away - even if it was really only a three hours drive. Thank you for bringing me flowers on my birthday and cake when I'm sad. Thank you for loving me every day, even when I don't feel like I deserve it.

To be honest with you, I think I could thank you for just about every good thing in my life right now - which would truthfully take some time. I guess what I really want - no, need - you to know is that I am more in love with you today than I was when I first said it. I will never stop appreciating the small things you do for me. I'll always love when you hold my hand, or when you send me a text in the morning to remind me of our plans for the evening. I'll always love that you push me to follow my dreams - even when I don't think it's worth the time because I doubt what you know is true talent.

And most of all, I want you to know that I love you and our little family. Nothing makes me smile more than our family date nights - watching movies, playing with blocks, coloring, going for walks - I never smile more broadly than when we're spending time as a family. And you gave that to me.