A Love Letter

Dear Danny,
Happy 23rd Anniversary to you, to us!  We did it, another year of wedded bliss!  And thank you for loving me all these years.  I am truly blessed and you are my hero and rock.
You have always believed in us.  I remember when I was pregnant with Ashlyn and you were so many miles away and still, you assured me that we could be parents.  We could take care of this baby.  We would be ok.  And you were right.  We didn't break her or the two others that followed.  In fact, there were times that we were down right brilliant parents (And down right sucky parents). 
You have always known that I was capable.  Always.  You didn't put up with my bullshit or my whining or my complaining.  You just kind of expected me to adapt and overcome.  To forge through whatever it was.  Not to say that you were not helpful and sympathetic, because you were.  You just didn't have any time for my periods of self loathing.  I think it was because you saw something in me worth loving and you wanted me to see that same thing.  Aside from the kids, that might just be the greatest thing you ever gave me, my esteem.  On the other hand, your insistence that I was better than I thought has turned me into a bit of a know it all monster.  So there is that!
You are an amazing father.  There really is nothing I can say to improve on that statement.  It has been an honor to raise Ashlyn, Hayley and Jacob with you.
Hero, let's talk about that.  You are mine.   In the traditional sense of the word, you do fulfill many hero requirements.  You wear a uniform (no cape), you defeat the bad guy, you rescue people.   But you also do the nontraditional hero things like take me to the church in Mondsee so I can fulfill my dream of walking down the aisle to marry Captain Von Trapp.  Or let me get another big slobbery dog even though I had a big slobbery dog.  Or take care of me multiple times when I drank too much the night before.
You get my jokes.  You get my moods.  You get my family.  You have taken me around the world.  You have given me the moon and the stars.  Or at least you have given me a hammock and deck where I can look at the moon and stars.  You have provided us all with a home and safety and security.  There are no other arms that I search for in times of trouble or joy.  There is no other heart that I trust like I trust yours.  There is no one that could be mine like you are mine.

I know that what I say is what a lot of people say to their mate.  And it is true for them as it is true for me.  But still, I am the luckiest, most fortunate and blessed of all the girls I know!
Happy anniversary Danny. 
Forever yours,
Anne