39 years ago today, a baby was born.

[Magrittes Pipe]

I wasn't there. Wouldn't be for some time. Twenty-odd years later, she and I were to cross paths -- briefly, but it made an impression (on me, anyway -- I was just a scrawny punk kid with absolutely nothing to set him apart from all the other scrawny punk kids who were too young to get anything but a Pepsi). See, she was quite possibly the most lovely creature I'd ever laid eyes on -- and, to my sixteen-year-old brain; her indifference to my existence made her all the sexier.

Another decade-plus would pass before she entered my life again; but she did so with a vengeance. It's like everything either of us had experienced leading up to that point had been stuffed in some sort of interest-bearing account (Christ, I hate being unable to speak in anything but banking metaphors); and our funds had matured. All of a sudden, I had a friend who meant more to me than I'd previously gathered was possible; especially as I was then going through a period during which I wouldn't let much of anything elicit any real feeling in me.

Eventually, that friendship was supplemented with desire. The two worked together to make something else entirely. On the fifteenth of last October, we were married; and I've never done anything better or more worthwhile in my entire life.

She is kind, brilliant, fun, and fuckin' hilarious. Not to mention excruciatingly beautiful. She makes me realize what I have to offer; and she makes me want to LIVE -- not merely to function through the day-to-day.

There have been some tough times and some stress since we've been together. Some of it from outside sources (for one example, I've learned that it's no fun being poor); some simply because we are human beings, and therefore imperfect. But here's the great thing: my weaknesses are her strengths, and her weaknesses are my strengths. As a very wise man once said: as long as we got each other, we got the world spinnin' right in our hands. ;)

Imperfect though we may be, this relationship, this woman, is the best thing that's ever happened to me. Although I'm (temporarily, one hopes) broke, I am the richest man in the world. And I owe that to her.

So, to my wife on her birthday, I simply want to say: I love you.

I don't often get all sappy like this (okay, not in public), but the spirit moved me today. This date has more significance for me than you'll ever know. Thank you for being a part of my life, thank you for enriching me beyond words, thank you for loving me.

Now, I'm going to shut up, lest I embarrass her further.

:loveya:

[Fenris]

1. I had no idea your paths crossed before.

I could not be more happy for you two. You are two wonderful people. :hi:

Happy Birthday, D.

[greatauntoftriplets]

25. Neither did I....

That's a great story, isn't it?

Happy birthday, D!

:toast:

[WCGreen]

2. You know what.....

You two are perfect for each other....

You compliment and augment....

It's was a pleasure being in the same room with the both of you....

[flamingyouth]

3. Happy Birthday to D!

I had no idea you guys had known each other before. :party::toast:

[jpgray]

4. Your banking metaphors have compounded my interest in this thread

:loveya: Which one of you has the big dick, again?

(seriously, nice sentiment, and happy brithday D! :bounce:)

[Magrittes Pipe]

7. Oh, she's hung.

We've named it "John Henry's Hammer."

:o

[Whoa_Nelly]

5. I want a partner like you!

got any single avaiable brothers...cousins...uncles...???

You and your wife are very fortunate.

Happy Birthday to your loved one! :hi:

[Magrittes Pipe]

32. Sorry -- all my male relatives are spoken for.

Except my cousin Joe, but he's 10.

Thanks for the compliment, though. :hi:

[u4ic]

6. Happy Birthday to MzEdges

:bounce: :toast: :bounce:

What a wonderful story!! She sounds like a fantastic woman!

[terrya]

8. This is beautiful

I've had the absolute pleasure of hanging out with you guys several times...and it's just so apparent that the two of you are in love with each other. It's permanent and everlasting. I can easily see the two of you years from now, still madly in love with each other. And that is always a delight to see.

Would you please tell your good lady a (belated) Happy Birthday for me? Thank you. :-)

T

[terrya]

13. Wait, I can tell her myself

Happy Birthday, D. :-)

[eyesroll]

9. Awww....

She's a gonna kill you when she sees this.


Happy birthday, dolo!

[Magrittes Pipe]

29. Well, my life insurance payout would be a great b-day present....

:scared:

[GirlinContempt]

10. Happy Birthday Dolo!

:loveya:

Want I should break his knees?

[In_The_Wind]

11. Happy Birthday dolo amber!

[KitchenWitch]

12. Happy birthday dolo amber!

[swag]

14. Wow, what a nice tribute to a beautiful woman, a lovely person.

Happy birthday, Dolo Amber.

May love and happiness always go with you.

[johnnie]

15. This is really sweet

So sweet I want to puke. :puke:

I'm kidding of course. It is a wonderful expression of your love toward Dolo and even I could tell during the few times we got to hang out that you two really do belong together.

Happy birthday D! Have fun, bu don't do anything I would do. :hi:

[Pale Blue Dot]

16. Welcome to sapland!

You're one of us now... one of us... one of us....

Congratulations! Happy birthday dolo amber, and may you have many happy, sappy years together.

[Midlodemocrat]

17. Very, very sweet. She's a lucky lady.

Happy Birthday, dolo amber!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

18. Wow, I gotta save this for future reference.

The boinkin' shall be good tonight! :evilgrin: Happy Birthday Dolo!

[asthmaticeog]

19. Happy Birthday, Dolo!

:loveya:

[miss_american_pie]

20. Awwww

Happy Birthday Dolo Amber. :toast:

[Richardo]

21. Happy Birthday, dolo!!

:toast:

[RandomKoolzip]

22. Wait...so you guys knew each other before DU?

I had no idea. That's amazing.

Happy birthday, d. May you forever rock (or techno).

[Magrittes Pipe]

23. "Knew?" No. She tended bar at a concert hall I used to frequent.

I knew who she was (okay, I only knew her as the totally hot barmaid with the nice rack and the constantly-changing hair), but she had no idea who my skinny punk kid ass was.

[RandomKoolzip]

26. That's beautiful.

I like the way this story dovetails into some kinda magical Chick-flick realm. It's like something Nora Ephron would write immediately after puking all over herself from too much ecstacy and heroin.

[Magrittes Pipe]

27. Chick-flick?

I was aiming for Chick tract. :(

[Blue-Jay]

24. News to me, too!

Happy B-Day, D!

[Left Is Write]

28. Happy Birthday, Dolo Amber!

[Magrittes Pipe]

30. I just noticed this was timestamped yesterday.

No, TODAY, March 22, is dolo's birthday.

I waited until the stroke of midnight to post this -- apparently, DU's clock is one minute behind our computer clock. x(

[Misunderestimator]

31. That is so sweet. Happy Birthday dolo and congratulations to you both!

:toast: :grouphug:

[Magrittes Pipe]

33. She's still out and about...

...so's I gots ta keep this kicked. ;)

[tigereye]

34. well I wanted to say, before I had to run off to work:

hooray for the two of you! And Happy Birthday Dolo!

I didn't know you had met previously. That's cool.

:toast: :beer;

very very cool!

[LaurenG]

35. What a sweet Bday wish

and a wonderful tribute. Happy Birthday Mrs. Whoisalhedges.:party: :toast: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :party:

[dolo amber]

36. Where's the :mortified: smilie?

Thank you dear. That was very sweet. :hug: :loveya:

[Magrittes Pipe]

38. You're very sweet.

;)

[no name no slogan]

37. nice post! Happy b-day dolo!!!!

So hedges, whatcha giving her for her b-day, besides the spankings?
:spank:

[Magrittes Pipe]

39. Here's a kick for the afternoon crew!

:party:

[Beware the Beast Man]

40. Didn't know you could be so damn mushy.

Happy Birthday, D, from the Beasties! :toast: :hug: :*

[GirlinContempt]

41. kick

[CaliforniaPeggy]

42. What a wonderful, moving, loving tribute!

Thank you for allowing all of us this glimpse into your wonderful marriage!

And, of course, a very Happy Birthday to Dolo Amber! Here's to many, many more!

:party: :toast: :toast: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :toast: :toast: :party:

[TheProphetess]

43. Well, now that I'm all teared up and stuff

Happy happy birthday to you, D!!

:party: :party: :party: :toast: :toast: :party: :party: :party:

What a sweet and touching tribute to you and your relationship. :)