A wish for my sons

Every parent has many hopes and dreams for their children.  I am no different.  However, I wonder if my biggest wish for my sons would be the same as many other parents.

What I wish for most for the boys are that they are lucky enough to find someone who makes them as happy and fulfilled as their father does for me.  Paul is my better half, my true complement, my support, my best friend.

It's funny to think back on our 18 years together.  Some know that I used to be the girl who said she was never getting married and never having children...then this guy comes into Dairy Chef in the winter of '92.

He was wearing jeans, a motorcycle t-shirt, black motorcycle boots, a Peru State College football jacket, a 3-4 inch long goatee, and two silver hoop earrings in his left ear.  Let's just say he was the opposite of most of the guys I had dated by this time in my life.

There was something about him.  I can't explain it, but I felt an  immediate attraction to him and he had NO idea who I was and wasn't even looking.  I have never forgotten that day.

Eventually we started hanging out with mutual friends and in May of '93 we began a life together.  I couldn't believe it.  I was (still am) head over heels for a guy...started dreaming about being married to him...having his children (two boys that would be named Zachary Robert and Devin John (aka DJ)).

Paul has always made me feel important and loved.  I can guarantee that my life would not be what it is today had I not met Paul.  In fact, it's frightening to think what my life could have been like.  I thank God every night for the gift of our love and for having such an amazing husband.

January 19, Paul celebrates his birthday.  I hope he has at least some idea of how much I love and adore him.  I could not be who I am today if it wasn't for him.

I pray that Zachary and Devin will find the same kind of love in their life and that they grow to be the kind of men that their father is.  These will be the greatest successes of my life.

Thank you, Paul, for being the man that you are and loving me as you do.  I love you more than you will ever know.  Hope your birthday is extra special!