He Still Sends Me Flowers...

I'm officially a "Silver Anniversary' woman. On October 7th, Phillip and I celebrated 25 years of marriage. I had grand plans of a beautifully written, romantic and praise-worthy salute to my husband, but life just got away from me that week. Luckily, I have a husband who thinks of me even when I'm not at my best. He surprised me with a leisurely lunch at Olive Garden, where we split my favorite...a decadent slice of white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. He really does know a way to a woman's heart! When I arrived home, I was greeted by a beautiful bouquet of roses in my favorite shades of fall colors. They made me smile every minute of every day for the rest of the week. The anniversary celebration didn't stop there. Friday we went out to dinner with some good friends where we enjoyed calamari, shrimp cocktails, and almond-crusted halibut. I had needed a few moments away from the hustle and bustle that is my life, and he squeezed them in at just the right times. So, I guess instead of all the beautifully written and romantics praises I had planned, I'll just sum it up like this. He has been steady and sure for 25 years, and I know he will be steady and sure for an eternity more. We balance each other. He's the intellectual; I'm the mindless trivia expert. I remember the names of everyone I've ever met; he keeps me around to remind him of the names of all the people we've ever met. He sits through chick flicks with me; I'll watch sports wtih him. He makes me laugh. And laugh. And laugh. He holds my hand when I'm sick, tucks the covers around me when it's cold, and always kisses me goodnight. We've had a few disagreements over the years, and I'll admit he's usually right, but he still tells everyone I'm the best thing that ever happened to him, and of course, he's right again about that! Together, we have been blessed with the 3 most amazing children on the planet. They have their dad's intellect, their mother's ability to remember names and mindless trivia, and again, their dad's gift of tenderness and compassion. Someone asked me if the 25 years was from more than one marriage. I was proud to tell them that all 25 years had been spent with just one man, my man, my Mr. Phil, the heart of my heart.

To him I say, "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be."