The True Test of Time

WARNING: If you are not Maxine, you might want to skip this post.

An open letter to Maxine:

Today is our 18th wedding anniversary.
Well, at the time this posts anyway. I've actually been working on it for a while.

I've tried to put in to words what you mean to me. It isn't easy. Everything I've started on has ended up sounding cheesy. But then, you know and appreciate my cheesiness.

I've spent a lot of time reflecting on you, on me, on us. I am grateful to you for everything I am, Everything I have, Everything I aspire to be.
As much as you want to deny it, I would not be me without you.

My youth was marked by rejection, pain, and a lack of affection. You are the first person to love me unconditionally. To help me learn that it is ok to make mistakes. You and your family taught me what a family could be.

You have given me so many gifts.
You have given me the three most beautiful children in the universe.
You have given me the happiest life I could ever imagine.
Most importantly, you have given me your heart. The most important thing I will ever have.
I will spend the rest of forever doing my best to care for it, to nurture it, to be worthy of it.

You have taught me so much. And you continue to teach me. Even when you don't realize it.
You taught me that even though I make mistakes, you will always support me.
You taught me that love is something to look forward to.
You taught me that it is important to say "I love you"
You taught me that hugs are magical.
You taught me that having something to work for makes work worthwhile.
You taught me that laughter is sometimes the most important thing that exists.
You taught me that sometimes it is important to self-edit.
 I'm not saying that I've perfected the things you taught me. Just that I got the lessons.

Because of you I am happy in my own skin.
Because of you I am the confident man that I am.
Because of you I am a husband and father.

There are so many reasons that I am thankful every second of every day to have you in my soul.
You are the most honest person I have ever known.
I love the way your eyes sparkle when we talk.
I love the way you laugh at my jokes, even when no one else on the planet would get them.
I love that you will always listen when I'm having a hard time.
I love that you never judge me for the things I think, do, or believe.
I love that you are a strong woman that is able to stand for her convictions.
I love that you are able and willing to tell me when I'm being a complete knob.
I love that you can admit that you love Paul Walker and all of his horrible movies. (am I being a knob?)
I love that, without fail, you will giggle at babies in commercials.
I love that commercials can also make you cry.
I love that we can spend an entire day together and do nothing but talk.
I love that road trips are fun with you. Not because of the destination, but because of the journey.
I love your frugality.
I love that when we need something, your first thought is always, "I could build that."
I love your stubbornness and determination.
I love taking showers with you every morning.
I love that, after all this time, we still you please and thank you.
I love walking anywhere with you hand-in-hand.
I love when you gallop at me.
I love that "it was a drive by fruiting."
I love that the last two won't make sense to anyone else.
I love that we finish each other's thoughts and sentences.
I love that we started out with such different tastes in music.
I love that we now have most of our musical tastes in common.
I love that you aren't caught up in what other people have.
I love that you are able to make sense of the nonsense that comes out of my head.
I love that no one can make me laugh the way that you do.

Most of all I love that I can trust you with my heart and soul. So utterly and completely. Without fear, without worry. I know that there are a million ways that life can hurt me. I know that there is one soul that never will.

I am hopelessly, utterly, completely yours. In mind, body, and soul. Forever.
I love You. Those words seem almost inadequate but they are the best I can do.

Or, as they say in the old country, "You people make my ass twitch."

Love,
Mark

Music I'm Obsessed With...

There are a few bands that I am ALWAYS in to.
Foo Fighters, of course.
The Beatles, naturally.
Justin Timberlake, it goes without saying. (Don't judge, its great stuff)

Two bands you might not have heard of that I've been REALLY in to for the last year or so:

King Niko:

I first heard them when they opened for 30 Seconds To Mars. I bought their CD at the show and haven't looked back.

The Suicycles:

I had the hardest time figuring out which Suicycles video to link. I love so many of their songs.

Cavedoll:

Cavedoll has a lot of various sounds. Some I love, some not so much.



Check out all three. You are bound to like them. If you do, buy their music. Support independent music!

This is good.