This one is for my husband

Sixteen years ago I walked down the aisle towards a man I honestly didn't know all that well. It was impulsive and silly to get married so quickly and we are so lucky that it has worked out.

When I married him I was thin and over the years I gained weight. A little bit at first and then a lot later. He never once criticized or demeaned me, although I did enough of that for both of us. When I cried or belly-ached over my weight and health issues he would make suggestions... none of which I followed. In fact I usually argued back how he "just couldn't understand" since he and his family don't have a pound to lose between them all.

Last year when I got to my goal weight, I went through my closet searching for some old "skinny clothes" to try on and see if they fit again. But it had been ten plus years and none were left. There in the very back was my wedding dress, so I tried it on - and it fit! I think it was a sign.

So thank you Fred, for sticking with me and for supporting me. For being there for me through thick and thin, through laughter and tears, through struggles and success. For just plain putting up with my shit. I am so grateful and thankful to have found you and taking that leap together. Because, it WAS a leap. As a grown woman who now knows you quite well, I'm glad I was impulsive and stupid sixteen years ago...

I also hope his mother has forgiven me for moving him thousands of miles from their home. As the mother of growing sons I cannot imagine my boys announcing they are about to marry a women on the other side of globe that I've never met... but then I may deserve just that. Hopefully I will have the same grace and trust in my sons that she did.