thirty-two

I love my husband. He turned 32 yesterday. 32. I met Kevin just a couple of months after his 25th birthday - he was all boyish good looks, corny jokes, love for ethnic foods and mini-adventures, and sweet-natured charm back then. He still has those boyish good looks (that crooked smile - I melt), the corny jokes, and all the other attributes that made me fall in love with him, but they've been seasoned with a few laugh lines, and a sort of quiet and strong manliness (of both looks and personality). 32 looks good on my love. I feel honored and blessed that this lovely person has chosen to spend his years with me, and I look forward to seeing how 32 more years, and 32 more years after that, will add to the depth and breadth and delightfulness of the man I love. Here are 5 things (5 things because 3+2 = 5) that I love about him:

1. The previously mentioned crooked smile. There's a small gap between the two front teeth. Easily brought on by, amongst other things: my natural dorkiness (it's very nice to be married to man who really thinks that your absolute most true self is just the best, most lovable thing he has ever encountered), corny jokes, cute kids, the 49ers, good beer, burritos, San Francisco, Lola the wonder-dog, ridiculous movies, fancy watches, puffy clouds, cheesy spy novels, 90's music, lamborghinis, silliness. 

2. He is a man of integrity. He is honest and upstanding to his core. He radiates honesty --- I once tried to lie to him, and I got zapped by his field of glowing goodness and instantly had to tell him the truth. 

3. He never, and I mean NEVER, says, or probably even thinks, anything petty or mean-spirited about someone else. He is not a gossip, and he likes to give people the benefit of the doubt. 


4. He loves to dance. Or, if he doesn't love to dance, he sure does it with gusto and joy. Some of my favorite moments between the two of us have occurred out on a dance floor. He likes to dip me, spin me, show off his hilarious - I mean, awesome - dance moves, and he never says no when I want to dance. One of his favorite places to take me dancing is in our kitchen. Very sweet and cheesy all at once. It makes life so much fun! 


5. His brain is full of knowledge. He just knows so much about so much. Together, we make a deadly trivia team. I love a man that loves to learn - I think that this, combined with his endless reserve of patience, will be an excellent attribute to have when he's a father. 


Happy Birthday, Kev. It's going to be a great year. 

The crooked smile, during the early years. 

Ringing in 32 at Mickey's Diner in St. Paul. Yes, that's a french fry as a candle. Hey, we make do.