love after 18 years

18 years.

Today marks 18 years of marriage to my best friend.

18 years ago, I would have said that love is flowers and dinners out. Holding hands and romantic dates. Gifts and love notes.

It is all that, but it is so much more.

It is clean windshields and full tanks of gas.

It is foot rubs.

And family days when you should probably be doing school instead.

It is planned dates.

And sneaking in time together when you can.

It is public expressions.

And private ones.

It is getting dirty.

And laughing when you are supposed to be serious.

It is revisiting the past.

And going back to where it all began.

It’s holding your hair back when you are sick. And holding your hand during chemo.

It’s homemade dinners. And picking up take out.

It’s going to work all day. And still coming home to help with the laundry.

Love is BIG things. And small things.

Thank you, for all of these things.

I love you.