A Love Letter

When David and I first started dating, we would write each other notes all the time. We probably filled up 3 or 4 notebooks with handwritten notes back and forth to each other. When David and I would be away from each other on trips, I would write him a "love" letter for each day that we were apart. I haven't done that in some time, but since it is our 1 year anniversary, I'm going to let you take a peek at my letter to him.

Dearest David,

With all of the events that have happened in the last year (my growing belly and the beautiful baby that has blessed our lives), it is hard to believe that we've already been married for an entire year. As I sit here in the hotel room with Magnum in his bed and Olivia sleeping peacefully in our bed (and you out playing with the boys), I am realizing just how lucky we are to have found each other and how fortunate we are to have figured out how to make our marriage work.

Good Lord, David, we were set up by a 17 year old senior in high school! You were a true California boy who had no idea what euchre was and could care less about basketball or golf. And, your choice in music? Oy. Me? I was a born and raised Hoosier who had never heard of Groove Armada and couldn't even stomach the smell of sushi, much less the thought of eating it. What was she thinking? We were a match made in ... okay, maybe we weren't.

Do you think we hit it off because opposites attract? I don't know, but they definitely complement each other. Without your "eclectic" taste in food, I would never know that I LOVE spinach, asparagus, tilapia, trout, and egg souffles. And, without my love of desserts, you would never realize just how much you LOVE frozen Ding-Dongs.

The fact that you are business-minded and I am more of an interpersonal kind of gal works great for the both of us. I don't think you could handle staying home with Olivia every day, and I FOR SURE couldn't support the three of us on a teaching salary. I feel SO blessed to be able to stay home with Olivia, to know that I am the one to nurture her and care for her each and every day and will (hopefully) be able to do that for many years to come. And, I wouldn't be able to do that if it weren't for you. You work so incredibly hard. And, you are so good at what you do. As much as "Business Dave" scares the crap out of me, I am grateful for that part of you because it affords us the lifestyle that we have....the one where we don't have to worry about daycare for our daughter, the one where we can live in a beautiful area of California, and the one that allows us to travel all over to see our friends and family. I don't tell you enough how much I appreciate all that you do for us. I hope you know that even the little things don't go unnoticed.

There are so many things that I love about you, David. You have so many wonderful qualities that I truly hope get passed down to Olivia. You are such a giving person - I know that you get that from your dad. You are always wanting to help other people, and you give up a lot of your personal time to do that. You are also so patient with me. And, God bless you for that, because I know I am not easy (um, remember, those pregnancy hormones and then the post-pregnancy hormones). While the fact that you are logical is an annoying trait for sure, especially since EVERYTHING I DO is based on emotion, it is one that helps to make our marriage work. I can come to you with any problem and know that you will offer up a solution that will work. And, I love that you are always trying to make me laugh. Whether you are making up songs or dancing to a tune in your head or searching out the funnel cake kiosk at a local festival, you are always aiming to please. (Well, except when you make me do lunges to burn off that funnel cake...)

I love the fact that you have just walked into my family as if you were a part of it from day one. I love that my friends are your friends and that your friends are now my friends. And, I LOVE watching you with Olivia. On our drive up to Palo Alto this weekend, you got to sit in the back and play with Olivia while I drove. I honestly don't know how we didn't get into a wreck on 101 because I could barely keep my eyes off of you in the rear view mirror. She adores you, and I adore you even more because of that. Thank you, thank you, thank you for giving her to me...to us.

I have truly enjoyed the first year of our marriage - will we ever be able to top this year? - and I look forward to the many, many more that we have to come. I love you, Babe.

Amanda

One of the happiest days of my life...