Happy birthday to Ben
Six years ago, you turned 19. For one of our first dates, you picked me up in your truck outside of my dorm. We met your friends at Fuddruckers, where you wound up buying my dinner and your friend’s dinner (in exchange for homework help) as well as your own. On the way back, your friends teased me about how much you liked me. By the 23rd, you had asked me to be your girlfriend.
Five years ago, your mom and sister came down for your birthday from Shreveport. They surprised you while you were washing your car and treated you to a cake decorated like a computer. You turned 20. We’d been dating almost a year.
Four years ago, we were juniors in college and it was your 21st birthday. Your friends from Shreveport came down for a long weekend filled with poker, Family Guy (before it was cool) and tons of junk food. We went to one of the Waco bars and spent the rest of the weekend playing video games and arguing politics.
Three years ago, we were seniors in college. We were engaged and moving to San Antonio in two months. Your best friends from Shreveport were now your groomsmen. Instead of a bachelor party, they came down and spent a long weekend with you for your birthday. We bowled, we ate, we played poker into the night. You turned 22.
Two years ago, we hadn’t even been in our house a year on your birthday. I had just started working a few months before and money was still tight.  We spent most of our time fixing up the house and “nesting,” as some call it. You wanted to paint the garage since the builder had left it bare. Wrapped in a sweatshirt in 60 degrees, I was fading fast. We discovered I had a high fever and a terrible virus. Mom had driven down from Austin to take you out to a steak dinner. She wound up making me breakfast tacos instead as I shivered on the couch. You spent your birthday the next day cooking me dinner and trying to break my fever. You were 23 years old.
Last year, I promptly decided two weeks before your birthday that after years of pining for puppies, I had to have them. You spent your birthday trailing after tiny little paws and puddle after puddle on the carpet. Instead of buying you a large gift, we invested in two little fuzzy creatures that would dominate our lives. You turned 24 years old.
This year, your parents have come down from Shreveport. They’re going to help paint our kitchen, play golf and kick back and chat. Ace the dog will undoubtedly be terrorized by the irritable Queen Bitty, and we’ll probably eat more steak and barbecue than you ever thought possible.
And even now, you think of me before yourself on your birthdays. On your vacation, you took time to have dinner on the table when I walked in after a hard day at work.
A well balanced, healthy dinner with carrots I didn’t have to douse in ketchup. In fact, they tasted good.
And the table was set, the glasses were filled.
I think it was the best dinner I ever had.
Happy birthday, darling. Here’s to dozens of more birthdays with you.
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! Tomorrow, we have a new Twirl! Then Sunday, a new creative woman’s feature with Gisele. Twice a month, we’ll feature a fabulous creative woman. Want to be one? Contact me!
March 5th, 2009 at 3:30 am
Nice site. There’s some good information on here. I’ll be checking back regularly.
March 5th, 2009 at 4:49 am
Ohhh, Happy Birthday Ben!!! I can imagine just how wonderful it will be with Duckie there to love you and make it a special day for you! Duckie, I loved this blow by blow yearly account of all of Ben’s Birthdays since you guys met. You are such a cute couple. I’m so glad that you have each other. Meant to be . . . positively!! Love you loads and loads!! Sounds like you’ve been under a lot of hoo haa at work!! Scary times! Saying a little prayer that all works out for you! XXOO
March 5th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Happy Birthday Ben! I feel like I know him too through your blog:)
March 5th, 2009 at 6:18 am
Happy Birthday Ben! You guys are just to adorable together. He seems like such a great guy. I think you are both lucky to have such a great relationship…and the pooches are lucky to be a part of your family. YAY YOU GUYS!
March 5th, 2009 at 6:44 am
Sweet memories of years gone by! Nice post.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:01 am
How sweet. What a loving sincere tribute! You are both very blessed and lucky to have each other. Happy B-day to your guy!
March 5th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Happy Birthday Ben!. Miranda, you brought crocodile tears to my eyes with that sweet and beautiful post.
You two are so lucky to be together!
March 5th, 2009 at 7:58 am
What a wonderful post. Happy Birthday, Ben.
March 5th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Oh what a sweet post. So nice. You both make an adorable couple!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 8:49 am
What a cute story of your life together. Happy birthday to your hubby!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:02 am
So sweet… you two are really cute together. He sounds like a keeper!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:06 am
What a sweet story! Ya’ll are a gorgeous couple. The love that you have for your husband is refreshing! Happy Birthday, Ben!
Thank you for visiting my blog!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Happy Birthday to Ben. He can really set a table, complete with Eskimo Joe cups! Thanks Ben, for being so good to and for the Blonde Duck. She hit the jackpot–you both did.
March 5th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Happy B-Day Ben! Enjoy your special day.
-FringeGirl
March 5th, 2009 at 10:01 am
A great tribute Duckie, he’s a lucky man…..but you’re a lucky woman too! Happy Birthday Ben, have a great one!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Happy birthday to your hot man!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Happy Birthday Ben!
March 5th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Happy Birthday, waht a great tribute to him! You two look super cute together!
Thanks again for stopping by … It was a lot of work, but someting I can be proud of and want to invite people over now … LOL
March 5th, 2009 at 10:43 am
This is so cute! Happy Birthday Ben! You sound like an awesome guy!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I enjoyed this nice post with a lot of beautiful pictures!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Aww what a sweet story! Happy birthday to your honey!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:15 am
That is so sweet! I love the first picture…you both are so cute and young!
And girl, you made me laugh, cupcake bunnies…lol! I better be careful for visitors like you who might try to nibble their little ears off! hehehe!
Have a great day!
Ashley
March 5th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Aaaww…Is there going to be a baby in this story anytime soon?
Take your time and enjoy life!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:29 am
A very happy, happy birthday to your wonderful husband!!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Happy Birthday Ben! What a sweet way to commemorate his birthday and your relationship. You two are ADORABLE!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:39 am
What a great recap of your lives through the eyes of your husband’s birthday! I hope you have many more to come:-)
March 5th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Happy Birthday Ben!
May you have a long happy life with your love one.
Cheers,
elra
March 5th, 2009 at 11:48 am
What a wonderfully sweet post
Happy Birthday to him!
March 5th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Aww, what a sweetie pie! Happy Birthday!
March 5th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I love how you took each year you’ve known each other and described his birthday.
Happy Birthday!
March 5th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
happy birthday…..
March 5th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Such a sweet post…many more happy birthdays for the both of you
March 5th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Very nice! Happy Birthday!!
March 5th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Happy Birthday Ben!! This is such a sweet post!! Such memories…
March 5th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Happy Birthday to your man, Ben!!! What a nice tribute!!
March 5th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
That was really sweet. I hope I have a Ben one day to pay tribute to!
Hope you both have a wonderful day!
March 5th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
That was so sweet. Thank you for sharing that with us.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Such a sweet post! Happy Birthday, Ben!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
What a cute post! I hope your husband has a great birthday!
March 5th, 2009 at 3:04 pm
Happy Birthday! Sounds like he has had some really wonderful ones!
May this be the best one yet!
March 5th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Happy Birthday to your sweet husband! What a wonderful memory you have and a beautiful tribute to him on his special day. Cin Cin!
March 5th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Happy Birthday Ben!
March 5th, 2009 at 4:07 pm
How sweet and happy birthday to him!
sandy toe
March 5th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Awww! What a sweet post this is for your man!
March 5th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Ben happy birthday to you!!! Great blog!!
March 5th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
That is such a nice dedication. What beautiful pictures. Birthday wishes to Ben.
March 5th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Happy Birthday, Ben! What a fabulous tribute! You made me cry the whole way through and then you got to the dinner on the table, glasses filled part and I just completely went into the ugly cry!
Sending gazillions of {{{hugs}}} your way!!!!
March 5th, 2009 at 4:37 pm
so sweet! happy birthday, ben
what a wonderful tribute to what sounds like a wonderful husband!
March 5th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Sweet post. Happy Birthday to your sweetie.
March 5th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
What a loving birthday tribute! Happy Birthday to Ben! I hope he had a great day!
March 5th, 2009 at 5:44 pm
What a lovely tribute!
Happy Birthday Ben!
Okay the picture with the puppies had me squealing in delight – tiny little puppies!
March 5th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
You all are too cute! Happy Birthday Ben! What a wonderful tribute to him on his birthday. He sounds like a keeper alright!
March 5th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
How very sweet! Happy birthday! You two are so young and cute and really together. When I was twenty fourish I was still wearing pony tails and playing jump rope. Ok, maybe not, but close!
March 5th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Happy Birthday Ben! What a great write-up. You two are perfect together!
March 5th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Aww. So sweet and so cute!! Happy Birthday. All the best.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Happy Birthday Ben….The puppies are oh so cute, ok Ben is pretty darn cute too. I love the new site, it looks great.
March 5th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Happy Birthday Ben, Duckie your post is lovely and shines with love you both share. Ben, I hope you have a wonderful birthday/weekend filled with lots of fun laughter and happiness. I’m sure Queen Bitty will be very gracious with the visitor especially as its her Ben’s birthday. Jane x
March 6th, 2009 at 12:07 am
Aww Happy Birthday from Denmark!!
March 6th, 2009 at 1:53 am
Love this post. One of my most favorite from you to date. Your writing approach is lovely and unique and your love for Ben comes shining through.
Thanks for giving all of us this peek into your life together.
Happy Birthday to Ben!
-Francesca
March 6th, 2009 at 2:30 am
That is such a sweet post. Happy Birthday Ben!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:00 am
Happy birthday Ben!
I love your new site – it looks fantastic! So professional looking!
March 6th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Happy Happy Birthday to your man. I didn’t realize you were so young. That’s a compliment. You write beyond your years
March 6th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Happy birthday Ben!
March 6th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Happy belated birthday to Ben….what a fun walk down birthday lane:)
March 6th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Happy Birthday to your sweetheart. You guys are so young!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Ahh what a nice birthday tribute, here is to many more!
March 6th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Happy birthday, Ben! Hope your day was as terrific as you are!
~ingrid
March 7th, 2009 at 6:08 am
What a lovely birthday tribute! I love the puppies, especially when they are sleeping on your sweetie!
March 7th, 2009 at 6:20 am
aww…what a sweet birthday post!! happy birthday!
March 7th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Happ birthday Ben!!! You sound like a real sweetheart.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
You are such a sweetheart. Ben is lucky and you are too. Very nice sentiments.
March 8th, 2009 at 12:29 am
This was absolutely lovely. You both are so lucky to have found each other, and I know you’ll cherish every minute! Happy Birthday to Ben, and happy day to you!
March 8th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
That was really sweet!
Happy Birthday, Ben!
March 8th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
OMG I forgot you moved your site!! I was wondering how come nothing new was posted and decided to check today!! I will update my page with your web add!
Love the new design!
March 9th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
He sounds like a keeper! What a sweetie you’ve got!
And if his birthday is the 5th, that is mine too! Yay Ben!
April 30th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Hi, nice post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting. I will definitely be subscribing to your posts.