April 30th is one of my favorite days of the year. On April 30th, 1999, my life changed forever in a most beautiful way (except I didn’t know it yet). On this date 15 years ago I was scheduled for a second interview at a small technology company. I was nervous. I needed that job. My first interview went well. I felt that day was my last hurdle on my way to a sure thing. I was all about my career back then. I had 2 kids’ mouths to feed. I was engaged to a man whose ambition was seriously lacking. Someone had to wear the pants.

I looked good for that interview too. My un-humble opinion of my appearance that day was further supported when I got “checked out” by the really hot guy with whom I shared an elevator. We both stepped off at the top floor. Then we turned down the same hallway; we kept walking, all the way to the end where we both entered the same office door.  Nice, he works here. I thought. I waited in the small lobby to be greeted by the operations manager. He fetched me and walked me back to a very small office. Inside the office were 3 very intimidating men. I was the fourth person crammed into that tiny room. It was close quarters. Not only that, but HE was there. My nerves almost turned to full on panic.

The cute guy did most of the talking. He grilled me with tough questions. Damn, I thought we made a little connection in that elevator. He is showing me no mercy! As his inquiry continued, I started to find him a little less cute. Eventually he let the shy guy from accounting talk. Accounting guy was impressed with my answers. I could tell. Then the little hairy man from production got his turn. He was impressed with my legs and my tattoo. I could tell. (I was sitting right next to him. It was tough not to notice that he stared at my calves the whole time he spoke.) Hot guy was not impressed. I could tell. I left the interview with my ego a bit deflated.

I was surprised to get a phone call the following Monday asking me to come in to meet the owner and to appear for personality and intelligence testing. Turns out that the cute guy WAS impressed. He was recently promoted to Technology Operations Manager. He was helping to hire a replacement to back-fill his old position. He fought for me. He felt I was the best fit. I totally read him wrong. That was unusual for me.

During the first week at work in my new job, each department took turns escorting the newbies to lunch. When it was technology’s turn, I took the opportunity to start over with hot guy. I cornered him after lunch for a little one-on-one. I learned that he was very happily married. I also found out that he was extraordinarily smart, much less serious than his interviewer persona, and a little egotistical. I found his marital status less than ideal… Why on earth would it bother me that he’s married? I wondered, I’m pretty unavailable myself.

From that point on it was strictly professional, even if I did enjoy stealing little glances at him. Ladies, he was that good-looking. I was engaged, not dead. Four months into my new job something both shattering and spectacular happened. My fiance’ left. He packed his things and several of mine and just left while I was at work. The next day, he moved himself and many of my possessions from Michigan to Texas. At the time, I was shattered. Other events unfolded that weekend to make it one of the worst ever. I missed work on Monday. On Tuesday I went directly to the break room upon arriving at work. Hot guy was there. We had our first ever personal and deep conversation. As it would turn out, his wife also moved out of their home over the weekend. We exchanged phone numbers so we could commiserate. A month later, we went on our first date. Within three months we were inseparable. By New Year’s we were living together.

Fast forward 3 years from our first meeting to April 30, 2002. I married hot guy, aka Brian, in Las Vegas. I was sick as hell. I spent the entire night before our wedding in the bathroom, if you know what I mean. My sister scraped me up off the floor when she arrived to help me get ready. She slapped makeup like paint on my face and made me presentable, for a china doll. I only bring that up because I’ve been sick this week too. Twelve years later April is still my health nemesis. Some things never change.

Brian and I have come a long way in the past 12 years. My older kids were already calling him “Dad” before the wedding, but his position as a father and their relationship with him only grew after we were married. We have a son, Brandon, who is just the best of both of us. Our marriage is the light that shines brightest in my life. I love him more today than I ever have. I will love him even more tomorrow.

Every day for the past 12 years, he has come upstairs at night and asked if I remembered to take my meds before he climbs into bed. He has told me that he loves me EVERY SINGLE DAY. We are still inseparable. He is my best friend. When I see him bring his briefcase home at lunch, I squeal with delight like we’re high schoolers skipping school (a briefcase at lunch means either a half day or he’s working the rest of the day from home). He is my staunchest supporter. He is my guardian and defender. He is my lover, my confidant, my provider, my grounding stone, and my whole heart and soul. My life is exceptional because Brian is in it. Stories will be told about our love long after we are dead and gone. It is powerful, it is real, it is unique, it is pure, it was destined to be, and it is unbreakable. I was put on this earth to be Mrs. Brian Page.

I LOVE YOU, AWESOME ~ ALWAYS and in ALL WAYS.