Before you blow out the candles, take a moment and breathe in.

Breathe in this house that we have made a home.  Feel the energy of this place that we have created.  A home where all are welcome, children laugh, and neighbours pop over.  A home that hosts pot lucks, after school playdates, and family gatherings.  Close your eyes and remember our basement apartment at 5thand Arbutus where our feet could touch the TV from our spot on the couch and the showerhead hung chest-high and rarely streamed warm water. Think of all of the tiny goals that you set and achieved between then and now. Marvel at how far we’ve come and then imagine how much farther we will go. The night is young, my love.

Breathe in these children who helped to decorate this cake. These children, half you and all of your methodical nature and half me with my fire.  They are the perfect blend of the best of us.  They sit around this pine table in anticipation.  Their sweet voices sing to you. Smiling, they await their slice of cake.  They hold their handmade cards in their tiny hands, busting to spoil you, their daddy, on this very special day.  Your presence in both their lives and the moment is the most important thing you have ever given to them.  Here they sit, wishing to repay you in their own way. 

Breathe me in, Love. Here I sit, beside you - always beside you. Keep kissing me in the kitchen and holding my hand in the car.  Spoil me and let me return the love.  Plan the next goal with me and challenge me to be better for myself first.  Watch the way I watch you when you tell a story, a joke, or play with our children.  You are my favourite moving masterpiece.  There is no where I would rather be than sitting next to you, at this pine table, eating this over-decorated cake.  

Before you blow out the candles, take a moment and breathe in. 

Take a deep breath, so you might be able to blow out all 40 of those candles.

Happy 40th Birthday to the love of my life.