Happy Birthday to you...

When we are young, we look forward to our birthday. It is a day we become older, and in most cases closer to some milestone we have set our mind on. A day where every one around us makes us feel special. You get to pass out the papers, be the line leader, sit in the front seat, pick what is for dinner. A day where your parents or those who love you make you feel special. Well, then of course there are the presents. A new bike, new clothes, a video game. If you are lucky, maybe a party with gifts.

As we get older, the day seems to loose its luster. Somewhere along the way it becomes, just another day. Why is that? I tried remembering my earliest birthday. That would be when I was 13 - we won't say what year that was. I remember I had a slumber party and my friends all got to come to the mall with me while I got my ears pierced. I remember my sister wanted to tag along with us and I hated that she wanted to. She is six years younger than me and since I was a "teen", I obviosly didn't need some little girl slowing us down, nosing into our business!

Today is TBW's birthday. We are going to visit my Mom and sister this weekend in South Carolina, so she insisted that the trip be her present. D2 and I went out and got her a couple of things last night along with some cards. As I sit and write this, I can remember how we celebrated her birthday the first year we were together. She was so sick, and we took a weekend trip to a cabin in the Smokey Mountains. She was just diagnosed with Celiac's disease (where your body can't process wheat and gluten). She weighed about 92 pounds. We had the most beautiful weekend together. I loved taking care of her and being with her in our cabin in the mountains. It was definately a special birthday weekend.

I wish I could make every birthday that special for her and for my girls. But sometimes, we are too busy, life doesn't allow you to do things you want to do. It is amazing how you look back on things and realize that how you acted when you were younger has shaped who you are today. We are going to visit that pesky little sister this weekend. She now has a beautiful family of her own. She has embraced TBW and I from the very beginning, without any hesitation. Pretty cool for some annoying little tag-a-long back in 1976 :) She is the best.

To my beautiful partner. I love you with all of my heart. You are my joy. You are my life. You are most definately my soul mate and my other half. This road has not been the easiest path, but hand in hand, heart to heart, it has been the most wonderful experience. It amazes me how we found each other. I look forward to spending the rest of our lives together with many more birthdays to come...

Happy Birthday! I love you!