Mindy with the perfect cupcake
Today we celebrate the birthday of my wife, my best friend, my co-blogger, and my co-conspirator in life. I think this time last year we were kicking around Seattle, enjoying everything that Capitol Hill had to offer and having a raucous karaoke party. This year was a stark contrast — a day of fun in Spokane, cake and ice cream with the family, and a quiet night at home. Don’t get me wrong, if we were still in Seattle, we’d probably repeat last year’s birthday. But out here in the country, the closest (respectable) karaoke bar is a long ways away, and Lyft doesn’t drive this far out. (The local karaoke bar is less karaoke, more bar, and a bit more … colorful than the places we usually haunt.)
A goofy photo of us around Christmastime
Needless to say, it has been a crazy year for us, with lots of big changes. But you know what? When you spend your life with someone like Mindy, facing change becomes less about “how are we going to get through this” and more “how are we going to turn this into an opportunity.” That’s how we ended up out here, living small and blogging it all. She would never own up to this, but Mindy is one of the most positive people I know. She’s the one you want in your corner when the chips are down. She doesn’t post on here as often as I do because she has more demands on her time, but trust me — none of this would have ever happened without Mindy. Or been even half as fun.
Mindy on the banks of the Thames with the London Eye behind her
So happy birthday to my beautiful bride, and may this year be the best one yet! I look back on the adventures we’ve shared so far and I can’t wait to share more adventures with you. I love you from the bottom of my heart.
お誕生日おめでとうございます!
Happy Birthday! I have heard so many wonderful things about you that I feel like I know you <3
Andy, you had me in tears! Mindy is a lovely woman, and I am so happy have her part of our family! I know that you don’t think you have done much, and would like to do more, but what you both have accomplished already is terrific, and it will only keep getting better! You have Spring to look forward to, and with that, all the flower bulbs that you and Mindy planted last Fall with hopes of them coming up on “another day” will slowly be pushing through the soil and blooming just for the both of you! When we come over again, I plan on buying you and Mindy some shrubs ( your choice, fruit bearing or not, and a couple of nut trees.) Soon your home will be finished and everything will slow down a little, but you know that something else always takes its place. One saying that is really good to remember, and I say to carve it into your brain, is the adage “Nature HATES a void” So VERY true! She will continually fill it with things that need to be done, things you WANT to get done, and “Someday, I hope we can….” don’t worry you have an entire life together to do all this, and please God, Dad and I hope to be over there to help you too! We just have to get him retired! Sheesh! You would think that he enjoys working or something! Happy Birthday again Mindy! Who knows where we will all be next year? Love you both! Mumxxxxxxxxxxxx
I agree Veronica!
Happy Birthday Mindy! It’s so nice to see you and Drew more often now!