13 years of marriage......I am a lucky man 8-4-13

       August 5th, 2000 I married Joan McKown and I am still honored and humbled to call her my wife. It's not always been easy but it has been very fulfilling and she has made me a better person in many ways. In fact, without her I don't know where I would be 

     Some of the things that have made our nuptials successful are the previously mentioned Etch-a-sketch practice,  the fact we don't keep score on issues, and maybe the biggest reason of all is that I try to improve as a husband every day.   I sometimes say that I want to make all the other girls jealous, let me explain that.   I know I'm not a trophy husband and I have no problem living with that but what I mean when I say make other girls  jealous is in the way I treat her.  I want them going home thinking boy I wish my guy treated me the way he treats her. Opening doors, taking her hand and dancing a few steps to a song on the PA in public or expressing my love for her to our server at a restaurant 

     My life has taken many turns.  I can say that the day I met Joan was a turning point to which I am forever grateful. She loves me for me and nothing else.  A few years ago I almost lost her.  She was so sick that she was unconscious for 10 days and the Drs would only guarantee she would live for one hour at a time.  She was swollen twice her body size and was almost unrecognizable.  I spent most of 29 days with her at the hospital even sleeping on the floor several nights at the beginning when she was so critically ill.   I don't know what I would have done if she had not made it.  It was truly a miracle from God.  It put so many things in perspective about life on Earth.  

     Guys, if you have a woman you love don't hesitate to tell her,  to kiss her in public and walk with her hand in hand.  It's not a sin to let her be right about something even though that might not have been the way you would have done it.  Show her respect and treat her as if this might be the last day you get to give her a hug or call her by her nickname

    Boo, I love you with all my heart.  Thank you for making me a better man and for being my best friend.  Thank you for allowing me to be me and thank you for saying I Do thirteen years ago

I love you,

Michael