30.

Dear Daniel,

          HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Today you turn the tide on another decade and I can't even tell you how much I wish I was there to help you ring in the big 3-0. I promise, I'd rather be enjoying chips and salsa on a restaurant patio and eating your favorite white cake & chocolate frosting with you than down at BMT "pushing Texas."

          It's funny, in a round-about sort of way, that each year I've compiled a collage of our adventures from your previous year and written you a letter, because that's honestly all I can do to help celebrate your birthday this year. I mean, I don't even know if my MTI will let me call you on this special day of yours. So a letter it is, unless you hear otherwise, of course.

          I always have the most fun making these collages and looking over our pictures from the last year. It's always a challenge to weed photos out, because to me—they're all so special. Each one tells a story of another day spent together. From road trips to races, from Air Guard days to lazy days on the couch—each was another memory that I'm holding close to my heart.

          Thank you for wanting to experience the whole world with me, hand in hand. Thank you for singing me songs and for your silly dance moves and for always stopping to take a moment to kiss the back of my neck in the morning while I'm getting ready or in a rush. Thank you for our time together, whether it's doing yard work, cuddling on the couch, carpooling to and from work, or just doing absolutely nothing at all. And thank you for supporting me and standing by me with my pursuit of a new career with the Air National Guard, even though it meant me leaving for a little bit, and sacrificing a few months of our precious time together. Thank you. I love you so much and I am so blessed to be your wife. With you, life is "so good, so good!"

          I hope you are able to enjoy every moment of your day today. Hit the gym, rock the office, eat until you're absolutely full, and then have an Oreo and extra slice of birthday cake for me. Even though I'm not with you, I promise you'll be on my mind all day. Happy Birthday, my sweets. Do you loooove me? Yes, I loooove YOU! 

Loving & celebrating you from 1,600 miles away,

Your Little Airman-in-Training Aunie ♥

Past birthday letters to Daniel: 28 │ 29