To my darling fiance Gareth, today is the 13th of August 2015, today is the day you turn 23.
Strangely, I've never been a fan of the number 13, but we 'met' back up on the 13th of December, and your birthday is also on the 13th, and when you add 13+13 together you get 26, I was born on the 26th! For those of you who don't know, I have OCD with numbers, as you can see on my about me page!
Today is your first birthday whilst in a relationship with me, not only your partner, but your fiance, it's your 23rd birthday, and 23 is my favourite number. Also today, I reached half a million hits on my blog, an achievement that I've been waiting for, for months!
I think today is going to be a special day.
Prior to your birthday, you told me how you've not enjoyed your birthdays since you was a child, and how you believed you had a curse. Even up until yesterday, you was telling me your birthday was going to be another rubbish celebration because your back has been playing up and you're in agony with it.
How I wanted to break the curse so badly and give you a lovely day, I couldn't give you the super fast sports car that you jokingly wanted, and I'm glad I couldn't because you don't drive and I know you wouldn't be able to resist the urge to take it for a test drive, not that I'm supporting or suggesting that, but still, my point remains.
I didn't really know what to get you for your birthday, there's a lot you like, but could I really buy you a dozen bags of Haribo for such a special day? You also love Adidas Gazelles, which I did buy you for your birthday, but I let you have early. Your team (Leeds) was playing earlier on, so I brought you a sports pass to watch the game on the TV without going to the pub.
You wanted to go to the pub, but you found out none of your mates and fellow Leeds supporters was attending the same pub as you, so you decided to give it a miss, favouring to see them live on Sunday when they play Reading at our local football stadium
I introduced you to mine and Leo's birthday tradition when it come to your birthday dinner, no one cooks on someone's birthday, why smell out the house and create lots of washing up? So I ordered you a Chinese, it come just in time for you to watch your team play, who unfortunately didn't win.
I ordered you personal cards off the internet which you opened and read with the biggest of smiles upon your face. You told me they was the best cards you've ever received, putting the biggest of smiles upon both mine and Spud's faces!
Your parents along with tradition brought you a carrot cake for your birthday, which you left here so me and Spud could sing happy birthday with you. Spud thought this was brilliant as just like you, his favourite cake is carrot cake, he couldn't wait for you to slice it all up!
I watched you struggle in pain yesterday with your back, but still, you was ever the gentleman that you are, refusing to let me lift a single carrier bag, and going to the shop for me when we ran out of soft drink. You still helped Spud with his games, and even lifted heavy boxes for me.
Health care professionals held no faith in you to reach early years, you've had over 30 operations and the scars on your body show for each one. You're amazing and I'm so proud of you. You don't act any different, you don't play on your problems but instead you just try your hardest to be the person you've always wanted to be.
I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, and every single birthday with you. Beside you always and celebrating as best as we can!
I love you Gareth Mear, forever and always, more than words can ever begin to explain!
Your future wife,
Jada
xx
