It was 10 years ago today that I rolled into my wife’s arms at Oaks Park skating rink. If I’d known then what I know now, I never would have suggested skating as a first date, it’s far too dangerous.

But we both survived, and she agreed to a second date, despite the really terrible pants I wore to the first one.[1]

One of the things that drew me to Jess was her love of the outdoors and being active. She’s been the catalyst for most of the great trips we’ve taken in the last 10 years.

She reintroduced me to cross country skiing.

I suggested we take snowboarding lessons.

That didn’t work out so well.

So we went back to the bikes.

When I decided to go to a weekend mountain biking clinic, she bought a bike and joined me (with predicable injurous results). Despite being so prone to breakage, she’s always game to try new things, at least once.

She saw me through my worst year ever and never wavered.

I introduced her to my friends through Church of Waffles.

She’s introduced me to her friends.

We’ve been on lots of amazing trips, domestic and international.

We find plenty of fun things to do at home too.

She’s been a great influence on my health and diet. I never met anyone who loves vegetables as much as she does and she’s introduced me to a wonderful variety of foods.

We got married at the Church of Elvis, which is the most official we’ve gotten so far.

We hardly ever fight.

I supported her when she wanted to adopt.

She supports me in achieving every goal I set for myself.

When I was a lonely and single 20-something, I used to say to the universe, “the longer I wait, the better she has to be.”

The universe kept its end of the bargain.

Happy anniversary honey! Here’s to the next 10 years.