98
(sarah's big day)


i guess this day is probably the culmination of every day you've had since i met you. for until today, every day we have known each other has, in a way, been leading to this hour. defending your dissertation. as i sit in your office and type, i can't help but think back on everything that has led you and us to this day. this, your last day as a "student".

as romantic as our story began, our since is the stuff that every relationship has been and ever will be, but with our own twist. we have had ups, downs, big ups and big downs. as romantic as this day will most likely be for you, my guess is that our future will hold much of the same. ups, downs, big ups and big downs.

i think that i don't tell you enough how proud i am of you. it's so much easier to tell others. and that's not very fair. it's too easy to take you for granted, but i think that is one of our ups. on most days, though, contrary to what may or may not come out of my mouth, i do not take you for granted. the love, patience, stability, caring and understanding you have brought to my life, in my eyes, is the stuff of legend. and i thank you for that.

i think that we are the greatest parents hannah could ever ask for. and that is one of our big ups. it shows in the way she kisses everyone. it shows in how horrible we are at applying discipline. it shows in that it wouldn't make sense for it to be any other way. she is stubborn like the both of us. she looks like you. she makes your faces. she makes you crazy. and me too. but she is ours. and the better for it i am sure.

i think, as i've said before, that i am "the luckiest" when it comes to being a part of your family. your family that is so different than mine, but also very much like it. maybe one day we can write a book on how, in spite of having every last one of the stars of functionality aligned against us, we made it work. that might be fun.

i think that, no matter the vote of your committee, that i will be supportive of you as you begin your next chapter. one that i will be happy and anxious to be a part of. one that who knows how it may read with the both of us having free time on our hands. one that will be interesting and new in every way.

i know that i love you. i know that you are finishing up your presentation right now and are about to convince the doctors in the room with you that you are fit to be in their club. i'll make sure that, since she won't remember, hannah knows how hard you worked for this and her and us, all at the same time. it's too bad that the doctors in the room can't take that into account too. not that you need any more help.

i can't wait to hear how it went.