five

{gushy alert}

Five years ago today a bachelor not yet known as Veto took Buddy Budderson, Loopy and I to be his family. It was a massive undertaking: woman with health issues (some known, some unknown at that time), a preteen boy and a little girl with developmental delays and undiagnosed Asperger's Syndrome.

He deserves a medal. We are not the easiest people to be around sometimes, but we try. Where there was nothing, he made a family.

I love him more than words can say. He saved us. He brought us together, he made us a wonderful home and he is more than I could have hoped for as a husband.

You see, even though the blog may not reflect it, I am not perfect. I am a work in progress. I make mistakes. Lots of silly mistakes. Without explanation, I make the same mistakes more than once. Like Loopy, I am easily overwhelmed. I try hard but sometimes I just can't get things right.

When Veto married us, he gave up his freedom and his bachelor ways. He slipped into the role of husband and father seamlessly. The children embraced him... but they became teenagers instantly, bringing all that comes with the territory. He stepped up to the plate and assumed the role of leader, father, mediator, and he even keeps me in check when the my mother instincts say, "freak out an strangle someone." He is the model of patience and understanding and I don't know how he does it sometimes.

He treats us like royalty. He spoils us with family trips and movies. He has dropped much anticipated golf tournaments and important business meetings to be there for me when my health has been shaky. Sometimes I feel like a burden but he never makes me feel that way, he reassures me and continues to take care of me, even though I have to start to do more things for myself.

He works so hard to take care of us and although I may not say it often enough, I don't know how to begin to thank him.

And so, even though we say "Love You" all the time, with one single splash of a tear on my keyboard, I need to say to Veto that I love you more than words can say and I wish that things were easier for you sometimes. Thank you for being there when we need you, which is always.

I love this man. Happy Anniversary.