Happy Birthday Zachary Edward

(Last Thursday, gulp).

I surprised Zachy (that's what I call him, you probably shouldn't, it'd just be weird) with a babysitter in the afternoon. The man loves golf, so despite it having been 2 years since my last swing of the links (is that the phrase?) I took him to a golf course and bonded with him.

After golf we went to another of his favorites, surprise, pizza! Old Chicago is a fav of ours both for the delicious pies and the many choices of brewskis. Zach, always excited about my many photos.

I'm not quite sure how to tell you how much fun I have with this guy. Most of what he says can't be printed on this family friendly blog but believe me when I tell you I'm in danger of peeing my pants every time I'm with him. We were stuffed after dinner, but somehow he still managed to eat this HUGE bowl of ice cream.

The kids were so excited to celebrate daddy's birthday as well but had to wait until the ice cream, they didn't seem to mind.

This is the 9th birthday I celebrated with Zach, which is ludicrous to think of. I can say with absolute certainty that they keep getting better. He keeps getting better.

It's taken me so long to write this blog because there are only so many ways I can thank God for this man. So here's Nikki Giovanni to do it for me.

Resignation

I love you
because the Earth turns round the sun
because the North wind blows north
sometimes
because the Pope is Catholic
and most Rabbis Jewish
because winters flow into springs
and the air clears after a storm
because only my love for you
despite the charms of gravity
keeps me from falling off this Earth
into another dimension
I love you
because it is the natural order of things

I love you
like the habit I picked up in college
of sleeping through lectures
or saying I'm sorry
when I get stopped for speeding
because I drink a glass of water
in the morning
and chain-smoke cigarettes
all through the day
because I take my coffee Black
and my milk with chocolate
because you keep my feet warm
though my life a mess
I love you
because I don't want it
any other way

I am helpless
in my love for you
It makes me so happy
to hear you call my name
I am amazed you can resist
locking me in an echo chamber
where your voice reverberates
through the four walls
sending me into spasmatic ecstasy
I love you
because it's been so good
for so long
that if I didn't love you
I'd have to be born again
and that is not a theological statement
I am pitiful in my love for you

The Dells tell me Love
is so simple
the thought though of you
sends indescribably delicious multitudinous
thrills throughout and through-in my body
I love you
because no two snowflakes are alike
and it is possible
if you stand tippy-toe
to walk between the raindrops
I love you
because I am afraid of the dark
and can't sleep in the light
because I rub my eyes
when I wake up in the morning
and find you there
because you with all your magic powers were
determined that
I should love you
because there was nothing for you but that
I would love you
I love you
because you made me
want to love you
more than I love my privacy
my freedom my committments
and responsibilities
I love you 'cause I changed my life
to love you
because you saw me one friday
afternoon and decided that I would
love you
I love you I love you I love you