30 and Counting

At the risk of sullying this remarkable blog with an amateurish post, I proceed - undeterred by a desire to shout to you and to the world:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE WOMAN I LOVE!

Here is a list of 30 reasons to feel elated about where you have come from and where you are going as you pass this milestone in your life.

1. You know and love God and you know that He knows and loves you.
   
2. You have a husband who adores you.
3. You have three beautiful, dynamic, and strong daughters who spend the entirety of every day in a tireless quest to become like you.
4. You are at the center of a family, yours and mine, who love you completely and forever.
5. Your presence on this earth has brightened the lives of your countless friends and acquaintances.
6. At risk to your life and to your sanity, you successfully fought to bring our three daughters into our home and our hearts.
7. You have come to know who you are.
   
8. You have read all of the works of Shakespeare and not only appreciate them, but truly understand them.
9. You have successfully talked your way out of at least ten speeding tickets – and have since slowed down.
10. You were voted Homecoming Queen.
11. You have swam in Lake Michigan in March and lived to tell about it (or so the story goes)
12. You went off to college with very little money, not knowing a soul, and never having been there, and came home with a great education, countless friends and three marriage proposals.
13. You are the most engaging public speaker I know.
14. You appreciate the beauty of beautiful things.
15. You taught yourself HTML, CSS, and who knows how many other computer languages.
16. You a fully accomplished photographer.
17. You have been to more places and seen more of the world than most see in their lifetime.
18. You have a beautiful voice.
19. You have made our home into a work of functional, delightful, art.
20. You can buy more for a dollar than anyone else I know.
21. You have a wonderful talent of taking ordinary things and turning them into works of art. (note the previous post)
22. You have discernment which makes you an excellent judge of character.
23. You can, and have, written an entire childrens book in under 5 minutes.
24. You have a talent for finding new, good, musical artists – long before they become popular.
25. You have been to almost every national park in the country.
26. You can spit frozen peas further than I can.
27. You are just about to launch a website which is certain to be successful.
28. You will have the privilege of witnessing our daughters grow into women who will honor you with their love and their lives.
29. We will grow old together and I will love you more all the while.
30. The best is yet to be.

- Love Sonny