This week marks the 20^th anniversary of my first date with my husband. 20 years since we held on to each other as we slid on ice through the North End. 20 years since I met my soulmate, my best friend, my husband and the father of my children. 20 years since my shallow 24 year old self actually took a second to question whether or not I could date a man that was balding. I was lucky he wanted to date me with that hideous permed hair. 20 years since I met the man that is almost as funny as I am, almost. 20 years since I truly found out what happiness is.

It’s amazing to think that our paths literally crossed from elementary school through college without them joining. It’s funny how life works. How a co-worker asking me to cover a shift for her so that she can go to lunch with a family friend, would lead to us meeting. That one event led me to finding the man that would do anything for me without blinking an eye. The man that thinks of me and my well-being before anything else. The most selfless man I know. A man that can affectionately call me a dumbass 15 times in an hour and make me giggle at every one. A man that still thinks I am beautiful no matter what my size.

We’ve been through a lot in the last 20 years. Houses, cars, children, stretch marks, cancer, surgeries, bad decisions, family problems, tears, ups and downs, but most importantly laughter. Every day there is laughter. When you find a person that makes you laugh every day, you are very lucky. Our marriage may not be perfect, but it is perfect for us.

Thank you to the man that makes me think of an A.A. Milne quote when I look at him, “If you live to be a hundred, I want to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you”.