Dear Varmints...

When I first met your father, it was probably 1972.

I'm not really sure.

Basically, we were in day camp,

and although we were friends with many of the same people,

we ignored each other for the next 2 & 1/2 decades.

Daddy likes to say it's because I was "afraid of the ball."

Whatever.

Here he is looking all cool with his dimple & that fishing hat.

In 1999, your father and I met again, at Elena's wedding.

He was seated at my table, and then proceeded to

wow me with this opening line:

"So. I hear you do yoga."

After we talked the night away,

he offered me a ride back to the city.

By way of coney Island.

(pic swiped from Brad.)

Almost exactly one year later, we were married.

(10 years ago, today.)

You don't know this yet,

but Varmints, let me tell you:

Marriage is a lot more commitment and compromise

than you could ever imagine.

Kinda like our platinum wedding bands.

See the tiny nicks & scratches that happen along the way?

They make the metal more beautiful, and they give it more depth,

but it's still just as strong.

Even through 3.a.m feedings...

Lay-offs, black-outs, floods, kitchen ants,

and some other tiny surprises the universe threw our way.

But more importantly, you should know that Daddy and I

feel blessed to still be together after all this time,

and that we love sharing our lives with you.

Love, Mama & Dada