Happy Birthday, to the Love of My Life

"I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you." 

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Today is Neil's birthday. He doesn't love having a birthday on Valentine's Day. He could never understand why his sister always got a present on his birthday, but he never got one on hers, and why the restaurants were always packed for his birthday dinner. These days, he spends much of his birthday helping me make the day special for our kids.

There is a sweet little story that I just love about Neil's birthday. Neil's parents tried for about five years to bring him into this world. They finally began to think that they just weren't going to be able to have anymore children and that perhaps they should start considering adoption. At this point, they also decided to be sealed in the temple. Exactly nine months to the day after their temple sealing, and on Valentine's Day, Neil was born. His parents joke that he was holding out for a better offer.

So though he doesn't like having his birthday on this special holiday, I love it! I love it, because it reminds me of what a blessing his life has been to so many, especially to myself. 

Happy Birthday, to the love of my life!

And don't worry, we'll make sure to enjoy your birthday dinner. We'll just wait until the crowds die down.