Dear Reta: A Letter To My Friend, Partner, and Wife

You are my heart...

Aside from our daughter, I have never loved anyone more than you. And to be completely transparent, no person will ever come close.

I am 100% certain we will be together forever or until death do us part because I cannot image navigating life without you. How sad would that would that be, right? Without you playing the pivotal role you have in my life, I am not the man the world interact with today.

Remember our first extended conversation in high school? It didn’t bother me then or as recently as a couple years ago. However, as I grow wiser it bothers me more than ever. If I had known how important and precious you are, I know that conversation would certainly have been different.

You're invaluable.

The contributions you make toward our success will never be discounted. Often at times I get the credit for achievements because I am the face and implementation. Nevertheless, you give me your all. That’s what make us a great unit!

People don’t get to see you building me back up, providing me with the great ideas, making sure I’m healthy, and the management of my schedule...

You let me do me and trust my judgement, but you also make sure I keep things in perspective. Moreover, instead of trying to muzzle my craziness, you embrace it and highlight how I can use that to my advantage. My thoughts, insane actions, and off the walls antics in the eyes of others are what makes me unique in your eyes.

Often at times, people from the outside looking in don’t have the privilege of knowing how you gave up cultivating your own career for the benefit of mine, the impact you have on the success of Leslie (our daughter) while I was working and going to school full-time, and when I felt overwhelmed and wanted to quit... you made sure I forged ahead.

Sure, I get a lot of the credit for the foundation of our family... but without out my rock the family would no doubt fall apart.

We are doing okay. From a career and business perspective, we’ve had decent success. And I am sure it’s only a tip of the iceberg. I know that greater things are on the horizon.

More work to be done.

To get there it will take a lot of sacrifice, hard work, and long nights. I cannot and will not do it without you!

I have always promised you that I will always make sure you are taken care of regardless of the dynamics of our relationship. You will never have to work (unless you want to). My early objective was to be the best decision you ever made. Hopefully I have achieved that.

I will always protect you, provide for you, make sure you are excited to come home, and allow you to be you... no matter what you are thinking or doing because I understand you.

God handpicked you for me because I wouldn’t be me without you. I love you more than life itself. Regardless of the circumstances, good or bad, let this letter always serve as a reminder (for us both) of how much you mean to me.

To be honest, there is no way I could put how much you mean to me into words, but I tried my best. My heart is yours and thank you for being you, for me.

I adore you...