Happy 30 part 1

It is the special time of year when my sweetheart becomes my older woman. It is also that time of year that I can catch Becky looking for new clothes to buy. To Becky the word birthday means new clothes. Hide the catalogues cause once she visualizes herself in something it may as well be bought. Luckily for me my mother-in-law takes care of the new clothes each year for the most part. Every now and again I'll see if I can choose something that doesn't end up being taken back to the store. For the 10 days she'll be bossing me around just because she is older than me. My Becky turns 30 today. Actually, I must admit that she is still the same wonderful Becky as she waits for me to catch up to her in age--any bossing around that takes place is the stuff she gets away with all the time. Of her 30 years we've been a part of one anothers lives for nearly 1/3 of that time. For her 22nd birthday, the first one that we celebrated together, my gift to her was to have a knee surgery so that she could pamper me all the day long. For 23 I took her to an award show at Weber State University so that I could accept an award. It wasn't all about me that night though, I planned a surprise birthday party for her with a small group of friends. For 24 we were living in a temporary apartment across the street from our house since we had almost burned down our kitchen the month prior. Let's just say I took the insurance money and remodeled her kitchen that year. 25 was the year we celebrated her birthday and the opening of the Olive Garden in Riverdale all at once. She still really likes that place. At 26 we enjoyed a small birthday with our friends the Wilson's in our new home. Becky was about 6 months pregnant with Alyssa for that one. 27 was the year that we began finishing our basement. I bought her a large amount of lumber and had it delivered to our home. For 28 I took her to a Dinner Theater production of Forever Plaid. This year she was 8 months pregnant on her birthday. On her 29th birthday we went a bought a large quantity of food storage at the Costco and then enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Ruby River. I bought her some spring running gear so that she could further her marathon training. She had just completed the Moab 1/2 marathon about 30 days before. We'll create the history for her 30th birthday much like all of the others I'm sure. If there is one consistency I'd like to have her remember from year to year it wouldn't be a memory of what gifts I gave her, or where I took her to dinner. I would hope that the consistency would be in the way that I try to demonstrate how much more I love her as each year passes. The way I tell her how I feel about her. It's a little harder to pinpoint those actions from year to year, but the combined memory of loving birthday greetings received keeps one excited to experience the year ahead of them while celebrating the year past. My sweet Becky is now one year older. I love her at 30 so much more than I was able to at 22. I love her 30 year old quirks, her whit, her care, her example, her love, and her 30 year old smile. Thank you for saying yes. The yes that has made it possible for me to nudge you early in the morning each April 28th and whisper, "Happy Birthday." To me you deserve nothing but the happiest.