Sixteen years ago, a co-worker kept insisting, “You gotta meet my roommate.” Later that week, on the 18th of May, he set us up at the Gold Cane. It turns out Spoonie just wanted your room.

Exactly two years later (almost) on the 17th, we were married. It was the happiest day of my life. Really.

Every day together is a reminder of just how happy. Thank you. For everything. Really.

Among many others, I believe it was Bon Jovi,who said Love Hurts.

Love is like a flame, it burns you when it’s hot
Love hurts, ooeee-ooeee yes, Love hurts
ooeee-ooeee yes, Love hurts
Love hurts

Na na na na na yeah
Love hurts

To that, I say let’s hear it for Henry…

“There is no remedy for love but to love more.”
~ Henry David Thoreau (1817 – 1862)

I used to be a hopeless romantic, often doing silly things to show my undying appreciation for my loving wife. Just because I don’t do these things as often anymore, doesn’t mean I appreciate her any less. In fact – following Mr. Thoreau’s advice – after 13 plus years of marriage, and nearly four years of living together 24/7 in a 200 sq.ft. space, I love and appreciate her even more every day.

One thing I appreciate most, is that she would appreciate the following heartfelt sentiments much more than flowers, chocolates, or a Hallmark greeting card. Well, maybe not more than chocolate…

“The pleasure of love is in loving.”
~Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613 – 1680)

“Love flies, runs, and rejoices; it is free and nothing can hold it back.”
~Thomas a Kempis (1380 – 1471)

“One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.”
~Sophocles (496 BC – 406 BC)

“We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.”
~Agnes Repplier (1855 – 1950)

“Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you.”
~William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616)

Ooeee-ooeee yes, na na na na na yeah.

My wife told me not to get her anything for Valentine’s Day. I suppose I should be thankful for that.

“Let’s just send each other love letters,” she said. But it’s not like I can keep any secret shopping from her anyway, living 24/7 together in a 200 sq. ft. box. Nor can I get all crafty and surprise her with the type of personalized greetings I used to make with all our printers and graphic production equipment. So hear goes…

Dearest René,

I’ll keep this brief, because even the most eloquent words cannot convey the depth of my love for you. I cannot count the ways I love thee, for there are just not enough numbers. I know I don’t express it enough, but without you, I am but an insignificant spec lost, alone, in this big scary universe. You don’t just complete me. You make me all that I am.

With you by my side, I am a happy man. Your smile brightens my every day. And a night never goes by without your comfort giving me peace.

Above all, I am eternally grateful for everything you do. All that we have enjoyed, all that we have become, I owe to you.

Thank you for being mine.

xoxoxoxoxox

~ Your Sappy Valentine

PS: Remember this?