Happy Birthday, Stephen!

dear stephen,

today is a very special day.  you may not think so because you feel “old” but let’s face it…i don’t really care what you think 🙂  at least not today.  today is the day that you, my best friend, were born.

i knew there was something very special about you the very first time that i met you.  i love looking back at the journal entry from that awesome January evening in 2003.   i won’t say it was love at first sight, but i was definitely pretty smitten.  i still can’t believe that we’ve known each other for over 8 years!  we’ve been through a lot together, and you have taught me so much in those 8 years…like how to be patient 🙂  the best things in life are worth waiting for…and fighting for.  i think you would agree.  you’ve taught me that it’s ok to cry when i’m happy…and not just when i’m sad or hurt.  you have taught me to laugh at myself.  you have taught me just about everything there is to know about every Apple product and turned me into a major tech geek.  you have taught me to respect myself and see the beauty in me that i sometimes struggle to see.  you have encouraged my dreams and given me the opportunity and freedom to pursue them. you are one of the most loving and giving people i have ever met, and i admire that so much about you.

i love being on this journey with you & could never express how thankful i am that you are mine. i love you so much…

happy birthday, baby!

jess

this was taken by Stephen’s dad, i believe, when we first dated back in 2003 🙂