How Sweet It Is

Stephanie's birthday is Monday, and though I won't tell you how old she'll be, I will say she's celebrating her second 29th birthday.

I already got her something earlier this month for her birthday, which wasn't much, and I thought about sending her flowers, or getting her flowers again, which I've done several times already. Trouble is, I worked today (and here it is, already 3pm) and I work on Monday, and honestly, though she's worth it, flower delivery is expensive. And we're all on a budget.


Taken at one of our wedding showers...

So, I thought it would be fitting today just to tell her, here on the world wide web for all nine of my readers to read, how much I love her. So, here goes...

Steph, you are amazing.
You're truly the most unselfish person I've ever met.
I remember when I was so frustrated with NBC, you would just lay and listen to me for hours, only wanting me to be happy... and instead of saying "Honey, we can't afford for you to leave", you told me "If you hate it, just leave. Work at Starbucks full time. We'll make it work, somehow. I just want you to be happy." That's the example I use to people to tell how wonderful you are.
To use the term "I married up" would be funny, but within the humore, there is truth to be found. We're approaching three years of marriage, and somehow it feels like we got married yesterday... and at the same time, it feels like we've been married for decades... and I look forward to those decades to come.
Never could I have imagined God's purpose for my life when it came to who I married, and never could I have imagined being so blessed in so many ways, whether its someone to go to the $1 movies with, someone to sit on the couch and watch CSI dvds or lay in bed at midnight and just discuss life, work, friends and whatever else comes to mind.
Sometimes when I know you are coming home, or I know I'll get to see you, I still get butterflies in my stomach, like I had that morning of our first kiss.
Anyway, I love you so much, and I wanted to give you the words of a song I discovered, and I thought it was fitting.

You know what, though? I posted this featuring a great Johnny Cash song... the words are:
We're the best partners this world's ever seen, together as close as can be... But sometimes it's hard to find time in between... To tell you what you are to me... You are the rose of my heart... You are the love of my life
A flower not faded nor falling apart... If you're tired, rest your head on my arm (well, until it goes to sleep, then we'll figure something else out)... Rose of my Heart.
When sorrow holds you in her arms of clay... It's raindrops that fall from your eyes... Your smile is the sun come to earth for a day... You brighten my blackest of skies... so hard times or easy times, what do I care, there's nothing I'd change if I could... The tears and the laughter are things that we share... Your hand in mine makes all times good... You are the rose of my heart, you are the love of my life, a flower not faded nor falling apart, if you're cool let my love make you warm... Rose of my heart

Now, this is a great song... but this is my Stephanie we are talking about here. She'll think the above was really sweet, but I realized, after I posted this originally, that she's just not a Johnny Cash type of girl. And after this came up on my iPod, I decided to send out something that's more your style...

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I needed the shelter of someone's arms and there you were
I needed someone to understand my ups and downs and there you were
With sweet love and devotion, deeply touching my emotion
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

I close my eyes at night,wondering where would I be without you in my life
Everything I did was just a bore, (well, thats not true... the Deuce was anything but boring, but still)
everywhere I went it seems I'd been there before
But you brightened up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
I want to stop and thank you baby
I want to stop and thank you baby

How sweet it is to be loved by you
How sweet it is to be loved by you

You were better to me than I've been to myself
For me, there's you and there ain't nobody else
I want to stop and thank you baby
I just want to stop and thank you baby

Truly, how sweet it is to be loved by you

You are always My Song

Love,
Dave

(remember all of this when I tell you about my new subscription to Sports Illustrated)