So, today is your birthday, and you’re out working while I’m here in the library writing. I’ve been thinking about our journey together over the last four and a half years. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, you usually respond by saying, “Austin took me to a waterfall on our first date.” It’s true, I can be romantic at times. If life is a river, everything changed when our rivers met at that waterfall, and since then we have paddled our canoes side by side until finally jumping on the same boat the day we got married earlier this year.
Up until then though, our rivers were very different. Although not without its challenges, rocks and rough currents, I’d say your river has been pretty straightforward: school, college, master’s degree, work, promotions. I’d say mine has been a little more… curvy. The river of my life has been around trees and boulders, through cities and towns, in and out of colleges and other colleges, and of course, up and down mental health episodes. Even if you weren’t there for all of my river, you’ve been through all of those types of environments with me, and since we met, you’re the only one who has managed to stay aboard without steering away.
Sure my family and friends are still around, but they weren’t in the boat the whole time, only some of the time, and sometimes only watching from the river’s edge.
I’m so grateful to share this canoe on this river of life with you. We’ve been each other’s calm and control, our relief, excitement and joy. We have two fur babies with great personalities too. Right now the river is steady, but we have to keep paddling hard to make our dreams come true. I’ll remind you to rest when you need it, and I’ll always be here, wading for you.
<3 Austin