In honor of Valentines Day...

I am fortunate that my bride feels the same way about Valentines Day that I do: Its a silly, made-up holiday.  We are one of those strange couples who expresses their love all year long, not just on one day that the flower and card companies agreed would be a good day to rip people off of money that they do not have.

Katie and I met doing theater. We were friends for a long time before getting together.  At the time, I was going through a divorce, so Katie and I proceeded as friends. My daughter Samantha was my number one priority, and I put all my time into trying to build a good life for her.  Katie was there when I needed it.  She knew when to help, and more importantly, when to leave me alone to figure out my own way, to figure out what works for Sam and I.

(Its funny...Katie and I kissed on stage long before we kissed in "real life"...)

(And yes, I am dressed in a grass skirt and coconut bra in this picture.  Ah, the things I do for the stage...)

Over time, I realized that the perfect woman was already there, as my best friend.  Everyone has someone who is their perfect match; unfortunately, some people never find them.  I am one of the lucky ones who found his. 

At times, she drives me crazy.  At times, her upbeat attitude and positive thinking irk me to no end, seeing as how I am a glass-half-empty kind of guy. But I would not change a thing about her.  God only knows what the future will bring; there will be happiness, there will be sorrow.  But with her by my side, I will make it through just fine. She makes me laugh, she makes me cry...but, more than anything, she makes me smile.

To paraphrase the poet Roy Croft...I love her, not for what she is, but for what I am when I am with her.

And how will we celebrate Valentines Day?  With a simple "I love you", and a kiss or two.  The same way we celebrate every day of the year.