Once Upon a Time...

...13 years ago, to be exact, I married the man of my dreams. He has been my best friend and the greatest love of my life. I was only 17 when we started dating and 18 1/2 when we married, but I've never regretted that decision.

 Rob, you are the center of my life and world. You were by my side as we welcomed each of our precious children into this world. And you were by my side as we watched one of them leave. You have been my strength when I had none. After we lost our baby boy, you were what kept me going. When I struggled through the emotional aftermath, you took care of our family and told me to just focus on taking care of myself. You have helped carry burdens that I couldn't bear alone. You are my everything. I thought I loved you 13 years ago when I said "I do" but now, I know that I didn't. What I felt for you then was just a shadow of what I feel now. I didn't understand then what love really was.

 “Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.” ~Captain Corelli's Mandolin

That is our love. It has been tried and strengthed during the hard times and nutured and enjoyed in the good. And although I haven't liked the trials, I know that it's becuase of them that our marriage, love and our relationship is as strong as it is. From the highest highs to the lowest lows, you have been there, loving, encouraging and helping me. And now, we are so entwined that we can not be separated. Thank you for being a wonderful husband and for taking me to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity. My love for you grows each day and my heart is ours.

Thank you for the best 13 years of my life and to an eternity more!

I love you!