Today (6-14) is my husband’s birthday.  My sweet and amazing man is a mere 48 years young. Which is weird to say/write, because he doesn’t look a day over 25.  Ok, 30.  Well, maybe 35. (A few distinguished gray hairs are starting to peek out and make their presence around his temples, which I find make him look quite handsome:)  But really; he has always had a young looking face.  A serious, young looking face.  Michael can be very serious. In fact, the very first time I met Michael he was so serious, that I may or may not have wondered aloud to my coworker, an old fraternity brother of his who made multiple mentions of Michael being ‘a great guy’ and ‘so cool’ prior to our meeting, if anyone had ever actually seen him smile. These days, I still see that serious look, just about every time I walk into his office and witness him staring at a computer screen.  But I also sense the kindness in his eyes when I see him chatting with our elderly neighbors. And I can catch the mischievous smile that emerges as he’s about to suggest that we ditch cooking dinner for a delicious cheese burger.  On those somewhat rare occasions when I come up with a witty one-liner that makes him laugh out loud, those are proud moments for me because I LOVE hearing him laugh.  There aren’t that many that can accomplish such a task, so I feel pretty special.

It’s almost as if there are two different Michaels.  One one side, there is the serious worker who is constantly working to provide for his family and problem solving to satisfy his intellectual curiosity.  On the other, the creative, overly generous, and thoughtfully spontaneous, encourager of all things fun, new or exciting. So, while the latter might be a bit more fun, the former makes sure to get it all done!  So, I’ll take both, please. Because, without both, he can’t be my calm in any storm, my voice of reason, my encyclopedia, my personal chef, my impulsive travel partner and my IT guy, all at the same time.

But, let me warn you.  Be prepared if he asks you to grab a cup of coffee with him in the morning.  Take a raincoat, a snack, maybe even some extra water.  And by all means, don’t forget your purse or your phone.  Because you just might end up on the other side of the island, driving hundreds of miles, shopping for ukuleles, hiking waterfalls, and buying fruit at farm stands. (Seriously…we got home SEVEN hours later.  I just wanted a cup of coffee.)

Boy, do I love that man.

*I recently re-discovered that short-lived but highly memorable 80’s synthetic pop band, YAZ.  I spent yesterday listening to classics like Ode to Boy and Only You.  Hence, the title.