Happy Birthday My Beloved

Now there is a certain chap around these bonnety parts who doesn’t like birthdays.  Not other people’s, only his own.  I don’t want to name names but he is tall, bearded and answers to the name ‘Daddy’.  As I wrote out his birthday card I realised that this is the 16th birthday we have celebrated together and that means the 16th birthday I’ve heard him complain about!

Since he was 22 my love has claimed that each birthday makes him ‘old’.  When he looks into the mirror each year he sees a few more grey hairs, a little bit bit more youth slipping away.

He can be a bit Emily Bronte at times, it must be his Yorkshire blood.  But me?  I think there is lots to celebrate!

So a yummy quiche was baked, as was a chocolate cake (there was quite a lot of multi tasking happening yesterday), the floors were washed (this is a present for my tidy minded love) and as much tidying as was possible with Neirin around happened.  Candles were lit, small gifts were given, candles were blown out (by Huwyl) and cake was eaten.  A small party but a happy one.

And what were we celebrating?  Well, for each of us something different.  The end of a busy day and the chance to eat a good meal with family (that one for Stephen), a big slice of choccy cake and cream on a Tuesday night (all of us), big hugs with daddy (the boys) and general good fortune.  For me the chance to celebrate another year with the man I love.  A man who holds me up, pushes me forward and ever so gently shows me new paths and new possibilities.  A great partner, friend, creator, collaborator and Dad.  My love.

I’m looking forward to many more years of birthday complaints and denials of getting older, because it wouldn’t be Stephen without them.  As he rides off on his bike this weekend (my present to him, a couple of guilt free hours out on his bike!) I too look forward to the new horizons heading our way, promising new adventures, together.