Celebrating 18 Years of Marriage to My "Sweet Pete"

I love my sweet husband, and he has always taken care of me. He's my hero, taking my little kids and I under his wing when I was a single mom. I really lucked out, and I thank God for him.

But my hunk of a man is always misplacing stuff. After 18 years of marriage, I've finally gotten to the point where I just ignore him when he asks, "Where's my phone?" "Have you seen my wallet?" "Where are my keys?" I love him, but he is annoying. And it's not senility, because he's been this way since we were first married. He has a memory like a steel trap when it comes to reminding me to thank him when he's been right about something, but I'm thinking of hiring a private investigator to track down his reading glasses, even though he's got about twenty lying all over the house.

Do you know that my Pete won’t eat without his reading glasses, because apparently, food doesn’t taste right if you can’t see it. Well, I've noticed he doesn't wear his glasses when he's cooking, and he makes a terrible mess, leaving crumbs on the countertops, slimy egg white drizzle on the stovetop, and crusted pink Crystal Lite smoothie grit that feels kinda like glitter stuck to the insides of our drinking glasses. I sort of forgive him, because he can't see anything up close, dear man.

For years, while we were raising our five kids, I used to grumble and get after them for not cleaning up after themselves in the ktichen, and when our last baby boy was still at home, I was hardest on him, because I thought, finally, I know which kid has been making all these messes. And then when he moved out, I was shocked to find the messes were still there! It was my husband the whole time! I apologize to our poor kids. I didn't know. I'm so sorry, kids.

But I love that my husband can't see to well up close. When we're together being naughty, you know, he doesn't see my gray hairs or my peach fuzz mustache. I never care about wearing makeup, which is awesome. But he's always been that way---even when his eyesight was good. Very accepting, affirmative, encouraging, no matter what I look like. I love him so much. Truly.

Happy anniversary, sweetheart. He’s out hunting with a couple of our kids and some friends—probably misplacing his camo hat and asking everyone where it went. I knew what I was signing up for when I married him on the opening day of pheasant season, and while it was a bit of a shock at first, I wouldn’t change a thing. Our anniversary has become our gift to each other: me time, him time, and a chance to enjoy a spotless house before he comes back and messes it up again. I love you, my big hunk of happiness!