16 years ago today, my life changed forever

Today marks a special event in my life, 16 years ago I met the woman who would become my wife.  At the time, I didn’t know she’d be that person for me but I knew she was special.  She caught my eye in a big way, she was young and hot and smart and full of sass. 

And I didn’t catch her eye at all.

As she tells the story, I was a total wallflower at that time.  You, like our other friends, might say,”What?  Kyle being shy?  A shrinking violet holding up the wall?”  Well, it’s true.  I didn’t make much of an impression on her.  Now, to explain how that could be, lemme tell you what was going on for me. 

I was at the ragged end of a ten year relationship with a woman I was still living with.  I was emotionally low, didn’t have confidence in myself or faith in relationships.  I was getting by, barely.  No formal declarations had been made, but within a few months, we’d be separated, then broken up.   My eventual wife was a cool refreshing breeze.  Her energetic flirty presence woke me up, brought me back to life, made me want to live. 

Sixteen years later, I’m still in love with her and appreciate her more everyday.  She’s my best friend, life partner, cheerleader, and reality checker.  She’s the woman I call ‘wife’ regardless the legality.  She’s my co-parent, sharing the joys and frustrations of guiding our daughter along the path toward maturity.  And, after years and years of trying, she’s carrying our second child and has the stereotypically gorgeous glow of a pregnant woman.   I love her, depend on her and cherish her every day.

In the past year, I haven’t always been the most level-headed or mature person, but she has stuck with me through all my puppy-paw clumsiness.   She listens, advises, commiserates, shares, celebrates, inspires and encourages me.  She’s one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known, or ever hope to know.

Honey, I love you and I’m so glad you saw through the camouflage of blandness I was cloaked in when we met.  It’s been a pretty excellent ride so far, and I have no intention of jumping off.

I love you, baby.

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