an open letter to my husband on our five year anniversary.

B,

Five years ago today, we became husband and wife. At 25 and 21, we were just a couple of kids madly in love. We didn't know a lot back then, but we knew one thing for certain: we belonged together. And now, half a decade later, I can say with absolute certainty that the past five years have been the best of my entire life. I'm only 26 so maybe that's not saying very much, but I mean it all the same.

I don't tell you this as often as I should, but I love being your wife. In fact, I'm proud to be your wife. You continue to amaze me year after year with your ability to selflessly love me. Like just a few weeks ago when you left a whole bowl of uneaten cereal on the counter because we only had enough milk for one. You left for work without breakfast so I could still enjoy mine. Or like the time you gave me money from your cash envelope so I could get a pedicure after I spent my entire budget on who knows what. Or like just yesterday when you willingly woke up at 5:00am to go to work early so you could be home by 6:00 to watch Everett while I went out for the night.

You would do anything for me. You put up with me and my shenanigans, day in and day out. You even put up with me while I was pregnant for nine months, and for that, you deserve more than a blog post, you deserve a trophy.

You have supported me for five years through three jobs, and were always the first person to tell me to quit when I wasn't happy. You were the one telling me "you can" when I didn't think I could, the one telling me "you will" when I didn't think I would. You have supported my writing, my photography, and every other tiny venture I've taken on, all without blinking an eye or making me feel guilty once. I would not be where I am today, doing what I'm doing, chasing dreams, without you. That is a fact. You have been my rock, my coach in the corner, and my daily encouragement for five whole years. Thank you for believing in me, and for helping me believe in myself.

We're on a new adventure now, you and I, and there's nobody I'd rather be learning with than you. I love watching you with Everett, how sweet and attentive you are with him, calling him "goo-bear" and always being worried about every little thing.

You're an amazing dad, and an even better husband, which is saying a lot. Our marriage is far from perfect, but I honestly believe it's getting better and better with each passing day. Thank you for loving me the way that you do. Cheers to the second half of this decade, and many many more to come. I love you, Brett Gadd. Always have, always will.

-A