Jenny's nearly not there birthday

Today is Jenny's Birthday, but first let me just comment on the picture. I have all of these nice pictures that I took of Jen at the Bollywood Grill tonight (a restaurant that Henry chose to go to for his birthday supper) but there was just something about this picture that completely cracks me up! It is like some artsy mood shot! Ha!

Right, now on to the serious stuff: Jenny and I have been together forever, since her sophomore year of high school. I can't even imagine that, knowing so many sophomores. So, although we do have young kids, our relationship is anything but young. We have weathered everything that life (and each other) has thrown at us. Our marriage is so far past that honeymoon stage that I sometimes find it hard to remember it at all.

I think that relationships are like little living creatures. They grow into unique and self governing entities. What Jen and I have is our own. We cannot, and should not compare it to others, because it would only simplify what shouldn't be only quickly acknowledged. I have learned that love grows thickly underneath the surface of feelings, and when those feelings fly all over the place... almost a daily occurrence around here sometimes, it is love, something more akin to devotion and servitude than emotion, that remains steady.

It is Jenny's birthday today... and we celebrated Henry's birthday dinner at the restaurant of his choosing. I gave Jen a card, and she is going to be picking out a bike for a gift this year. But Henry's birthday was yesterday, and his party is tomorrow and between these things, I am afraid her birthday is taking a back seat. When you're young, it may seem like the worst thing in the world to have someone eclipse your birthday, but with perspective, maybe letting Henry outshine her a bit isn't so bad. I know that is the way she feels, I asked her.

That top layer of emotion just peels away after a while, and if you managed it, what might be left, is what counts: Perspective, wisdom, humility and devotion.

You are beautiful Jenny.

Happy Birthday
Dave