Today was Jake’s birthday. If it were up to me, today would have gone much differently. But his birthday never seems to go as planned. I missed it completely for four years in a row when I was away for college. Last year, he was sick. This year, I’ve been stressfully busy and we had some prior engagements and things to do that couldn’t be avoided, including getting up sinfully early on a Saturday to get our local Sundance tickets, and Jake wandering around Michael’s with me looking for frames for the bridal fair I’ll be in next weekend. Plus, he had to go into work this afternoon. (I motion that work should be voluntary on your birthday.) In fact, all I’ve done to celebrate thus far is make him blueberry muffins for breakfast and get him the video game he’s been wanting. Not exactly a dream birthday.
If it were my birthday, I’d probably be pouting about the lack of festive streamers, funfetti cake, and random people jumping out yelling “surprise!” But Jake? He smiles genuinely and thanks me for the muffins. He gives me a kiss after opening his present. He tells me he’s glad he got to be with me while frame shopping. And he happily plays his video game with what little time left he has of the day before he has to go to work.
That right there? That is just one more reason to add to the hundreds of reasons why I love him. He appreciates every single thing I do for him, even when I feel like I haven’t nearly come close to doing enough. He shows me that it is enough.
Happy Birthday Jake!! Thank you for being my best friend and supporting me in every way you know how, even on your birthday. You’re seriously the best. And I promise I’ll get better at this whole celebrating thing… It might take me a while, but there is no one else I’d want to grow old and celebrate with. I love you more than words can express. Here’s to another year of your life. I can’t wait to see what you’ll do. Xoxo.
