Thanks Baby...

Honey,

The other day I had escaped to the grocery store seeking the solace of 30 minutes to myself, and the thrill of getting four 1/2 gallons of ice cream for free, and I realized how many great things have happened in my life since you have happened upon it.

 I felt so guilty.

Guilty, that I had not stopped to think of all the things you had given up, and would be giving up to be part of my life. 

It was a life free, for the most part, of responsibility.  Freedom to do what you wanted, whenever you wanted.  Friendly with your ex wife, there were no skeletons left to fall from the closet.  One son, old enough to come and go as he pleased, and easy enough to take on vacation anywhere.  You could stay home and watch TV all day, no lawn to mow, no house to keep up with.  Or, you could , after a few clicks of a mouse, be on a plane anywhere for the weekend, with anyone of your choosing. 

Dinner could be from a five star restaurant, dined in or taken out.  Or, instead, you could settle on a bag of popcorn and no one would be the wiser.  No one would care if you didn't shower or wore the same pants twice.

It was simple, unencumbered, and uncomplicated.

Then you fell for me, and I took your unencumbered world, your life of leisure, packed it up, and sent it sky diving.  We could go out, but only after I found a sitter.  Many nights were cut short by having to get home for the kids.  Phone calls were cut short and ears have been blown out with my shouts of "Can't you see I'm on the phone!".  Date nights often end by picking up milk on the way home.  Leisurely weekends watching four hours of Nascar have been interrupted by shuttling children to birthday parties, random episodes of "Dude What Would Happen...", and of course, the never ending home improvement project.  Laundry has become our bonding time,  real dancing has been replaced by the well choreographed "dinner" dance in the all-too-small kitchen, and getting frisky has been replaced by swatting a mosquito off my backside.
 
Slowly, you have had to find a place for all the elements of you within an already existing established household.  Most of your movies have been subject to dreaded 'pre-screen', and rated R can only be viewed after 9pm.  Every vacation revolves around a theme park of some kind.  You car has evidence of children, your clothes evidence of my inept laundry abilities, and your wallet evidence of clothing a family of five.

And, you have done it all without complaint.  Never wanting more than an occasional night out with the guys, or a weekend away with just me.  You never hesitate to run errands, pick up a child, or clean up after the cat.

It is crazy, hectic, stressful, and exhausting life. 

It is full of responsibility and tough decisions.

It involves a lot of yelling and letting things go.

I can not imagine what I bring to the table that makes you want to stay, and completely commit to everything that the Juli factor involves. But whatever the reason, I am thankful.  Thankful that you not only chose to stay, but are really present through it all. Loving me, supporting me, and telling me to take off my cranky pants, because my butt looks way better in the smarty pants.

Thanks baby.