Wow. Hard to believe that we got married thirty-five years ago. Pledging to spend our lives together in front of family and friends.

How fast the time flies.

I still remember the first time I saw you. It was at Swenson’s for a meet and greet of the cast and crew for Nails.

I knew about you before we met. Our friend Jimmy had written about you in his correspondence with me. I knew two facts:

1. You were a very good actress.

2. You were in a long term relationship and Jimmy thought you both made a great couple.

So, I prepared myself not to find you attractive because it would have been a wasted effort on my part.

You walked into the restaurant and I thought you looked like a Nordic Snow Queen. Regal. Majestic. Striking.

But you had a wonderful laugh. And you shared it easily.

I was smitten. And then later annoyed. And slowly but surely, smitten again.

I remember our first kiss. July 30, 1986. A spontaneous kiss goodnight that… lingered.

Only broken by my brother Mark coming home. And you bolted out the door to hop into the car taking you home. I blinked and floated to bed blissfully.

I remember having the epiphany that you would be a great mother. I don’t remember what we were talking about or what triggered the epiphany. But I remember thinking that your kids were going to be so lucky to have you as their mom.

I didn’t even think of you as the mother of my kids. Just that you would a great mom.

Of course, that was a brilliant and prescient observation on my part.

That is when I saw you in a different light and started to fall in love with you.

And two years later, we were walking down the aisle.

Then Caileigh and Keaton and Tara came. Boom. We were parents of small children. Then parents of adolescent children. Parents of young adults. And now parents of adults.

This journey continues to be fun with occasional bumps on the road. I am so grateful to be able to take this trip through life with you.

Not only do I love you, but I like you, too.

Here’s to many more years of adventures and fun.

I love you more with each passing day.