The Big Five-Oh

I've been a bit busy lately. Family from New York and Florida, friends from the neighborhood, colleagues from work and lifelong friends from afar joined us to celebrate The Missus' 50th birthday last night. (To the left is a picture of her from 1956.) We've had company for a week now, so I've been out-of-touch with you. I hope to be back later this week.

Fifty. Wow. It's a milestone in anyone's life, and she's handled it with her usual style and flair. There's never been a better woman, and I'm so happy forty of us got together to celebrate the big event.

What a great time. The celebration actually started with a small party on her actual birthday, which was last Thursday. We all went out to dinner, then had a a small birthday cake at home. Dontcha just love the cat glasses on the birthday girl? She was eight years old then, circa 1963.

We met in 1982. We both worked for Montgomery Ward; she was a buyer, and I was a human resources staff weenie. I moved on a few months later to Burger King while she stayed with Monkey Wards.

Then, the layoff. Things changed, and the stores closed down in South Florida. If our relationship was strong enough, she would stay. She had received a job offer in North Carolina; we had dinner to discuss what to do, and I let her go. To this day, I'm not too sure why I made that ill-fated decision; I guess I had to "find myself." She moved in the winter of 1985. (To the left is her high school graduation picture in 1973)

I kept in touch with her, of course. Very quickly, I realized I loved her and she was the one for me. I asked her if I could visit. She wasn't too sure what was going on, but I knew exactly what needed to happen. I went there knowing that I would ask for her hand in marriage if she would forgive me for letting her leave. I asked her at 5:00 in the morning as she was getting ready to go to the airport. How romantic, eh? You'd think I would have a wonderful dinner followed by a walk in the park so I could beg for her forgiveness. Well, as it turns out, I've done that several times since we've been married, so I guess it all worked out.

She said yes. In fact, she was so dazed, she somehow got on the wrong plane the next morning for a business trip to New York. When she called her mother to announce the good news, MIL asked, "Who?" So much for my ego. To the right is how things worked out eventually; that's us in Miami in 1993.

We've spent 23 of her 50 years together. I wanted to tell you what a wonderful woman she is, and how dedicated she is as a mother, daughter, granddaughter, aunt, wife, and neighbor. She's one in a million, and I'm eternally grateful she's by my side.

Of course, this weekend's party was a great time. I put together a 25-minute PowerPoint slide show set to all the 1955 classics and there was a combination of laughter and ahhhs from the group. One of the top songs from 1955? (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley and His Comets. That's how the show started. What a great song.

If you met The Missus, you would instantly fall in love with her. She's caring, compassionate, patient, insightful, empathetic, warm, and a true friend. I wish I could say more about her, but you get the idea. She's one-of-a-kind.

So, on her 50th birthday, I wanted to share with everyone how special she is and tell you how many friends she has. We're all better people because we know her.

Happy Birthday, Dear. I love you.