Felicidades Senora Kirby!

Today is my beautiful bride’s birthday. And unless Emma or Logan comes through with the most sensational save of the century, there won’t be any fancy cupcakes on the table while Mom opens gifts bought by Dad tonight.

(Remember that year that I spent a little extra money on those fancy cupcakes and was so proud of them, Five? Remember how excited I was to tell you about the strawberry filling and the special toppings and how I passed on the triple chocolate cocao infusion ones?)

I love Michele more than Alaska.

I love her more than Rainbows. (Actually I struggle a little bit with rainbows but I heard it on TV once and it sounded romantic.)

I love Michele more than Muskies.

I am just so enamored by her beauty, both inside and out. Every morning I zip up my coat, grab my computer, turn off the kitchen light and begin my walk from the qanichaq (Correct Inupiaq spelling of CunnyChuck) to my classroom - and on that short 25 yard walk I always look to the heavens and say the Lord’s Prayer. I immediately follow that with thanks to God for blessing me with Michele as my friend, my wife and the mother of my children.

Every day.

Without fail.

I remember reading some pick me up/motivational saying type message right about the same time that our courtship began that talked about when you start prayers by listing all the things that your thankful for, you usually forget about asking for things. I’ve found this to be very true.

Although we had been friends and casual acquaintances for about 3 years, I didn’t seek out a potential relationship with Michele until I was student teaching in 2001. It was February actually – Valentine’s Day. And now, 15 years later, she’s the thing I am most thankful for in the whole Universe, closely followed by our 3 children. Don’t worry; they get plenty of airtime when I’m on the hook with the Heavens. But Michele, she’s the center of my universe. We have grown to be quite a team and this crazy Alaskan Adventure wouldn’t be at all possible without her blessing and support.

Michele regularly sends words of encouragement at just the right time. Daily contact through emails has allowed us to continue to run our family together even though she’s carrying much more of the physical load while I’m off gallivanting in the Arctic wilds. I know it’s not been easy for her but she is stubborn and strong, intelligent and thorough. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more and I’m just so proud that she said “Yes” on that dreary, cold March day in 2002.

If you see my wife today, give her a hug for me. Tell her “Happy Birthday”. Let her know that 39 looks good on her and that she’s still got a long way to go until she’s 40. If you happen to bump in to her in the next few days or weeks even, don’t be afraid to ask her how things are going. She’s in this just as deep as I am and she and I are starting to realize that we’ve got this thing whipped!

It won’t be long until we’re holding hands again.

                                                                 I love you, Michele.

                                                                    Happy Birthday.