On Love: Happy Anniversary

​6 years ago I finally got to lock up this beautiful woman.  We had met a fair bit before this, in arguably the toughest period of our lives. We were in school, under pressure, and only had each other. 
I distinctly recall it was the weekend of Halloween (at that age, Halloween is an event for weeks, not for a day). 
She was a rough cat (meaning she had cat ears on, maybe some whiskers) and I was attempting to be a tough guy as one of the main characters from The Boondock Saints. 
We knew we liked each other but we didn't really know where this was going. So, a few drinks later, I managed to profess my love for her.

"I Love you."

Yikes.
Even slightly tipsy it took me by surprise. I tried to backpedal, I was scared, I was freaking out, and I wanted to go away.  Was it too soon? She probably doesn't feel the same way, she probably won't ever talk to me again etc etc. 

But she did. She did more than just talk to me again.

She said it back. 

Cue the fireworks and high fives. 

That was 11 years ago. 6 years ago she decided she would marry me. 

From there we've been on an adventure of epic proportions. Through good, bad, indifferent, a pair of kids, and a business, moving to a new city, and just life in general.  She has stuck be my side through thick and thin. 

She does it effortlessly. It takes me a lot more work. 

I am so grateful for you Ashley. You are my rock and I strive to be more like you every day. Happy Anniversary. 

---