Twenty Six
Twenty six years ago, I didn’t know you.
You were in Louisiana, I was in Texas. You grew up in a Southern world of private schools, small-town friendships and the son of a businessman and teacher. I grew up in Austin, world of live music, Mexican food, public school and cowboy boots, the daughter of an engineer.
On one of our first dates, you took me out with your friends to Fuddrucker’s on your birthday. And you paid for your meal and mine. As I watched all your friends inhale gobs of melted cheese on tops of thick burgers, I thought, “If he took me out with his three buddies on his birthday– a birthday that doesn’t include binge drinking or topless girls or illegal things like most 18 year old boys adore– before we’re even officially dating, he must be really special. A true gentleman.”
With that in mind, I married you as fast as possible.
Since that first birthday, I’ve learned a lot.
I’ve learned you hate big parties, preferring only close friends and family. In fact, you hate any attention on your birthday.
Don’t think of this as attention. Think of it as a tribute.
You hate surprises but love getting your presents early. Even five months early. Especially when you pick them out. And get to open them right away.
You love chocolate but don’t want to have a whole cake to yourself. But you’ll never turn down brownies or chocolate chip cookies.
I prance around with a tiara, you prance around in grey shorts and Birkenstocks.
For you, a perfect day begins with Krispy Kreme or blueberry muffins, a gun or car show, an afternoon of lounging or napping followed by a tasty steak dinner topped with chocolate cake or blueberry pie and in bed by 7 p.m.
Anytime there are animals involved, it’s going to be a good day.
No matter where you are or what you’re doing, it’s going to be a good time. A giggle-inducing time that causes me to snort water up my nose.
No matter how old you get, you’re still the same charming boy I fell in love with at Baylor.
Thank you for making me part of your last seven birthdays, darling. I can’t wait for a lifetime more of celebrations.
Happy 26th Birthday!!!
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have a new Dallas Jean tomorrow and a week of whimsical fun after that!
March 5th, 2010 at 3:49 am
Happy Birthday to your hubby. Such a nice tribute and beautiful and happy pictures! Hope he has a great day!!!
March 5th, 2010 at 4:02 am
Awww, Happy Birthday to him!!
March 5th, 2010 at 5:11 am
Happy birthday Mr Ducky!
. Of course it reminds me how I feel about My MrP. Sometimes I think that having a great husband is what makes life worthwhile. So glad you found your perfect match 
What an awesome post. I so loved reading this
*kisses* HH
March 5th, 2010 at 5:13 am
Happy Birthday to your hubby! This was such a sweet post, and so much fun to read!
March 5th, 2010 at 5:39 am
Happy B’day! That is such a cute, cute picture of him snoozing with the babies!
I hope ya’ll have a great weekend!!!! Hang on to that guy Duckie.
March 5th, 2010 at 5:47 am
What a lovely tribute to your hubby~ You two sound like an adorable couple!
March 5th, 2010 at 6:50 am
You two are so adorable I can’t even handle it. Also, now I want Fudruckers. Really bad. I mean, disgusting melted cheese? It can’t get better than that.
But then there’s this bridesmaid dress. And I need to fit in it. And cheese is the enemy.
Now I’m conflicted.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:44 am
So sweet!! My fiance’s birthday is Sunday…I love March birthdays!
March 5th, 2010 at 7:48 am
Happy happy happy birthday to you BEN!!!!!!!!!!
May you have many many more.
March 5th, 2010 at 7:58 am
He is so cute! You are an adorable couple. Happy birthday to your hubby!
March 5th, 2010 at 8:02 am
What a loving tribute. Cherish each other.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Happy birthday, Ben! What a great post about a great guy.
March 5th, 2010 at 8:27 am
Aww you are such a nice wife! Ben sounds like a really great guy. I can see why you married him as soon as possible
March 5th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Awwww! That’s so sweet. Happy Birthday to the Hubby of the Blond Duck!
March 5th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Happy birthday Ben! Duckie, this was a perfect tribute!
March 5th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Happy Birthday to Ben! Great pictures and a beautiful tribute!
March 5th, 2010 at 10:09 am
Aw, what a sweet post! Happy Birthday to Ben!
March 5th, 2010 at 11:14 am
It’s really a pleasure to read this post with such beautiful pictures!
Happy Birthday to Ben!
March 5th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Happy Birthday to the Hubby! Good husbands are hard to find. You are blessed.
March 5th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
Happy B-day to Hubs… I don’t like attention on my birthday..IIthrow the party, not wear the stupid hat!
March 5th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Happy Birthday, father of the Pond!
What fun you have together!
March 5th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Happy Birthday, Ben!
March 5th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
A very happy birthday to your wonderful Ben!! Of course, he is as lucky to have you as you are to have him.
March 5th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Awwwww. Happy happy bday to your man candy!
March 5th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Love your tribute…..Happy birthday and blessings and best wishes for many more years….celebrating!
March 5th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Sniff…sniff…sniff…we all love Ben, too!
March 5th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Awwww….happy birthday to Ben!
March 5th, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Hope he had a super day!
March 5th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Happy belated Birthday to your Ben.
Gorgeous photos! Love ya!
Betty xx
March 6th, 2010 at 4:58 am
What a lovely post. Happy birthday Mr Duck!
March 6th, 2010 at 5:59 am
This may be my favorite post of yours! How sweet. And yes, he was a keeper from that first date experience alone! I hope you all had a good celebration.
March 6th, 2010 at 6:00 am
Aww sweet! The good ones always get snatched up quickly. Happy Birthday Ben!
March 6th, 2010 at 7:02 am
What a sweet hubby…I love that pic of him asleep with your furbabies. Hope he had a great day!
March 6th, 2010 at 8:50 am
What a sweet birthday tribute.
Hope he had a great birthday. Happy Birthday!
March 6th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Oooh…cute! Happy Birthday to him!
March 6th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
happy birthday to him! Oh – and by the way, you two have the BEST smiles!
March 6th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
Happy Birthday to him!!!! I’m sure you made it a great day!
March 6th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Aww, what a sweet post – Happy Birthday Ben!
March 6th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Awww, what a sweet post – Happy Birthday to Ben!
March 6th, 2010 at 11:23 pm
You two are just adorable! Hope you guys had a wonderful time on your husband’s birthday!
March 7th, 2010 at 8:35 am
Happy Birthday, Ben! Hope each year it keeps getting better and better!
~ingrid
March 7th, 2010 at 11:34 am
oh my gosh! Such a freaking cute post! Happy belated birthday to your Man!
March 7th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
A very Happy Birthday to your husband. My hope is that you will grow old together and remember these good times of your youth.
March 8th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Happy belated birthday to Ben!
March 8th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
What a wonderful birthday post!
March 16th, 2010 at 4:31 am
What a great “tribute”! Happy Birthday Ben!