Babe,

Today we add another candle on your cake, but it’s so much more than that. It’s another year of amazing memories, inside jokes, uncontrollable laughter, and another year getting to call you my guy. Today I’ve known you for 253 days. I’m so thankful for every day we have had together. I can’t wait to spend your entire thirty-fifth year with you! 

You’re going to roll your eyes when you see this post, but I’m writing you this letter for couple of reasons. I want to tell you for the 1,945,665,565th time that I love you, but mostly to let you know how much you mean to me. Without going into great detail, my twenties were a challenge. I experienced a lot of “real life.” A lot of struggles. Real challenges, and real depression. I thought I would be stuck in that season of my life indefinitely. But then I met you. 

It’s crazy to think back to last May. I was running on all cylinders at all times. Working a full time job and a part time job to pay my mortgage, and devoting every spare minute to my photography side hustle. It was exhausting. But even more exhausting was trying to date. Bad date after bad date had worn me down. So much so that I almost canceled my first date with you. After another long day at work, the last thing I wanted was to spend another Friday night at an awkward dinner that I was sure would be just like the rest. But one of my friends encouraged me to go anyway. And then you walked in and life changed forever.

You were (and are!) so handsome and so personable. It was easy to talk to you and I immediately fell for your smile. Right then and there started a new season of life for me. So many things had to come together for you and me to become an us. But God and His perfect timing brought us together, and I couldn’t be more grateful. You bring balance and a new perspective to my life, and also a boat load of new friends! 

I could talk for hours about how amazing you are and all of the little things I appreciate about you. But the point of all this is that I want to wish you nothing but the happiness that you’ve brought me, and hope you have a wonderful day celebrating how awesome you are. I’m so excited to spend as many more birthdays with you as you want me to. 😍

Love,

Me

[Photos taken by Samantha Johnson of Evelyn Vaughn Photography]