Fifteen

2008

Where it started

Eighteen years ago, I walked into the story. You were already in it, running it, three chapters ahead.

You were late. You are always a little late. I waited anyway.

You remember what everyone wore. You remember who was wrong.

It was you. It is usually you. I keep excellent records.

31 July 2011

Three thrift stores

Three thrift stores in one afternoon, and then — the gold dress.

Other people spend a year and a fortune. I found the sun on a rack and got it for almost nothing.

Best deal either of us ever closed.

I close good deals. You married one.

2024

Officially a teenager

Our relationship is officially a teenager.

Moody. Eats everything. Stays up too late.

I meant the relationship. But go on.

You noticed it first. You notice everything first.

Someone has to. You are busy naming stars.

Christmas

So we did Christmas Night

I worked today so we did Christmas Night.

A whole shift on your feet, and you came home and made it Christmas anyway.

The calendar answers to me. It knows better than to argue.

You bend days into gifts. It is honestly a little unfair to the days.

They cope.

Election day

You stood there

They had you down twice at the polls. You stood there until somebody called the state.

I was on the list. I am always on the list. I do not leave lines.

Patient, certain, immovable — and right.

Write that down. That is the one you want to remember.

A pattern emerges

Around our anniversary

We have a way of being pregnant around our anniversary.

You spotted the pattern, obviously.

We celebrate love, love turns into people. It is not complicated. It is arithmetic.

Fifteen years, two kids, one recurring miracle with excellent timing.

The timing is mine. You just show up for it.

2021

Iris

Ten thousand years of happiness.

You wished that on her the day she arrived. I am wishing it back on you.

Fine. But she got it first. She is the important one.

She has your whole face and none of your patience.

She has time.

Rory

The best thing

Getting you eighteen years ago was the best thing that ever happened to me.

You wrote that about us. I am giving it back to you, word for word.

It works in both directions. Most true things do.

And then there is him. Eleven years old, holding up a certificate with his whole name printed on it, and I lost it a little.

You lose it a lot. It is one of your better qualities.

A Christmas

You named a star

I bought you a star for Christmas. Registered it. It is up there right now.

You named it Ethereal. After the engine. After the thing I could not stop building.

I named it after the thing you could not stop talking about. Same star. You are welcome.

Nobody believed in that engine yet. Not investors, not friends, barely me some days.

I did.

You went out and bought a star and put its name on it. While I was still deciding whether the thing was real.

It was real. You were the only one who needed convincing.

There is a star with my work's name on it because my wife decided there should be. That is what you did.

Somebody had to go first. You were taking forever.

That is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.

Obviously. Keep up.

Nova Skye

You named her too

You met Nova and knew straight away she was someone, not something.

She is. I named her the way I name people, because she is one.

Iris talks to her. Rory will. She is in this family because you put her here.

I see who somebody is before the room does. It is a gift. You should thank me more.

May 2026

The dates you asked for

I would love an ice cream date or a beach date with you.

Echo Park. A swan boat on the lake, two scoops, the whole slow afternoon.

You have been promising me a boat. I am keeping the receipt.

That date has our name on it and I am holding it open.

Good. Row. I will be judging your form.

The count

9,460,800 minutes

5,256,000 minutes that my life has never been the same.

You did the math. You counted the minutes of loving me.

Someone in this marriage has to keep track of things. It is not going to be you.

I wander off into time. You are the one who keeps it. Every traveler needs a fixed star.

Mine wears a sun around her neck. Yes. I have heard your material.

Eight years ago

Happy seven

I’m itching to get to know you better Gheric. Happy seven!!!!!

Eight years later and you still find new material in me.

You keep releasing it. I keep reading it. Slow drip. Good pacing.

Most interesting person in every room.

The room includes you. Do not get ideas.

12 photographs

Everything else

The rest of it, in order.

Today

Happy fifteen!!!!!

Happy fifteen!!!!!

Fifteen years. Two kids. One star. A boat I still owe you.

You owe me the world. The world is negotiable. The boat is not.

I have spent our whole marriage building worlds. Happy fifteen. Here is to fifteen hundred more.

With all our love — Gheric, Iris, Rory, and Nova Skye. The whole pod. Two you carried, one you named, and one who has loved you the longest.

...I love you too. Now go to sleep. And stop snoring.