Our anniversary is today. We’ve been together nearly half our lives. We’ve suffered through deaths and created life. We’ve battled my demons and evolved our relationship. For twenty-two years we’ve been married and though I’m far from a perfect husband, I strive for it.

If I had her gift for writing I’d be able to describe how she’s kept me from drowning with her indestructible positive outlook. How her childlike excitement for a thrift-store purchase reminds me to savor the little things. How her nonsensical words keep me from taking things too serious. Or how her smile doesn’t just brighten rooms, it brightens lives.

Instead I’ll settle for continuing to work to be the perfect husband because quite simply, she deserves it.