Thirty Five!

Dear Baby Girl...oh you with those big, big eyes and thick, dark hair...

 ...thirty-five years from today you'll still have thick dark hair...and the thick part you'll pay to thin and the dark part you'll pay to have. And those eyes will have ever so recently captured the love and heart of a man who on this day, isn't even on the earth yet. But he will be. God will send him just for you.

And that bewildered look on your face will show up time and time again between now and then, but you hang on. God's writing.

Oh you cheesy five year old girl....with that huge smile...one day, in about thirty years, you'll sit behind an engineering board and make that same face at Lynne before the show goes live on the air every day. Oh you who can't even imagine that one day you'll be in radio. But you will be. So don't lose this cheesy, hammed up way about you. You're gonna need it.

 And speaking of smile...remember that guy I was telling you about? He's gonna love that smile. The real one AND the cheesy one.

Oh sweet, awkward ten year old...this is just a phase. It will pass. And remember that for the years to come, too. It'll pass. And those attitude glasses will get you in trouble, as will many other things in life, but you know what?? You'll work your way through them. And it will pass.

 And you remember that guy? Just be really glad he doesn't know you right now!

Dear sixteen year old girl who spent the night before crying on the stairs because sixteen feels like so much responsibility...you'll cry on the stairs many more times in life, but it's okay because you have what it takes to handle responsibility.

 I see it in your eyes. How you don't love yourself. How most of the time you feel invisible and the rest of the time you wished you could be. One day it'll get better. One day you'll be YOU...not this searching, scared version of you. And that vacant look in your eye will be replaced with sparkle. It's half a lifetime away, but hang on for it. It's so worth it.

Dear twenty-one year old girl, making the best of a dinner out at Cracker Barrel. Today you have a boyfriend. One you think you'll marry, but you won't. One who won't even call you today because it's not a priority to him. But in about fourteen years, you'll find one who will not only call, but the night before your birthday, he'll take you shopping and buy you a new outfit so you can feel pretty on your special day.

 And even though you have no idea what you're about to do with your life, let me tell you...God has some plans.

Dear thirty year old girl who has given up that life and love will ever come about the way you've dreamed...hang on. Hang on and enjoy the friends who are gathering to celebrate you. Hang on and know that it really isn't long now until all those prayers you've cried out...are answered.

Love...your thirty-five year old self.

-So today my sweet Awesome Sauce you are thirty-five and let me tell you, you are so so loved.  I know you waited a long time for me, but I am now here and so proud to be your husband.  You are so beautiful, so wonderful, and so lovely in every way.  Just thinking about you makes me smile.  Our marriage together is unlike none other not only because of the love & laughter we share, but because we know what God brought us thru to get here.   You bring me the kind of joy that people always talk about, but have a hard time finding.  I love you so much sweetheart and I LOVE this life with you.  Thank you for loving me without limits and showing me that love in every way possible. 

                                                 I wanna grow old with you,
                                                                                              Ryan-