I like tradition. I like it when it evolves from something so simple and becomes its own existence. Writing to you Juliet on significant dates has become my cherished tradition. In this act of sharing with the world my unceasing love for you I find keys to understanding my own existence. I discover new elements of you and me that were not there only an occasion before now. What is this four years together? What is the significance of the constructs we hold closely as if they are inalienable? Why do I sound like the narrator from a Terence Malick film when I wax philosophical? I am not sure I can answer any of these questions, so I will share some insight into us and let the world decide who we are.

Juliet and I do not like the smell of fireplaces, barbecue restaurants, or smoke in general. We will eat some things that are lightly smoked but we generally do not like overtly smoky stuff. I like peaty Scotch and even Mezcal, but Juliet does not. My wife likely has the keenest sense of smell on earth. You may not agree, but for my purposes hers is superior. She can smell cork taint from across the room and so she weeds out corked wines, apples, and carrots before we ever bring them home. I am certain she would give a Labrador a run for its money in the sense of smell department. So, jars of shit at restaurants that are smoky...NOPE! How about Icelandic smoked lamb? Absolutely not! Smoky Paprika? Keep it in Hungary..or Spain. Warm fireplace cuddled with smoky Lapsang Souchong tea? Never going to happen. Those little romantic dreams are sneezes, gags, and nightmares to us.

Juliet loves Scarves. She will cut every corner cut(able) to avoid paying money for gas, service charges, late charges, or any kind of charge. She will go to equal and opposite lengths to buy any scarf, anywhere on the earth. To this day she is still angry with herself for trying to haggle a scarf vendor in Can-Tho, Vietnam and failing. She still wants that little piece of material and if I could find a way to get it (if I even remembered what it looked like) I would be her hero. She looks amazing in scarves and I think she should design her own. Which would decrease our scarf bills most certainly.

We are the most curious people we know. Both Juliet and I must try new foods, eat at new places, go to new countries, and scour the news, facebook, blogs, eavesdrop on private phone calls on trains, restroom stall chats, and church confessionals in order to experience new stuff. We will listen to you, learn from you, spy on you, and ultimately discuss you at length (especially if you are quirky). While I may write about my observations, my wife is much better than I am at being observant. Nothing gets by the Schmee.

I like breakfast more than all other meals combined. If I do not eat a proper breakfast, my day usually sucks and I hate most people and things. Juliet could give a shit about breakfast, but she loves me and placates my incessant need for morning food  every day.

Juliet does not like to make obligatory phone calls. Just 2 seconds ago she texted me saying that our package had arrived and asked if I could call the apartment office to schedule a delivery. I did it without hesitation, because I love my wife. I have a similar aversion to washing dishes. We know which boats to steer and which boats to enjoy the ride. This is four years of marriage, and it is really beautiful.

We have only been to the movies 3 or 4 times in almost 7 years, because Juliet cannot stay awake in movies. No matter what, she begins to doze every time she gets still, no matter how much rest she has had. While this makes me kind of nuts, I have learned to blow of the cinema and love TV again. I watch amazing shows like Mad Men and Breaking Bad while she falls asleep in her chair. When the shows are over I coax her up and get her to bed almost every night. This used to make me crazy and now I know it is just part of us. I love to see her little sleepy face even though she is never happy to have been awakened. (nor will she be happy I shared this)

After four years of marriage  I can accurately say that I love my wife more with each passing day. This has never happened to me. Every one of my great passions has waned in 2-3 years (hence my leapfrogging careers) but not my passion for Juliet. I am certain that no other human being understands me as easily as she does. I am quirky, stubborn, needy, anal, attention-seeking, demanding, confident, combative, earnest, inconsistent, frequently ambivalent, and sometimes just angry. In all of my moods Juliet usually finds some way to make me laugh. Even if we are at odds, one quick Juliet observation, and usually a simple gesture, or code word, can change my demeanor for the better. This is the sign of a savvy woman. I am frequently foolish, but she is often capable of keeping me from being the fool.

Last year I went into great detail of why we, as a couple, are a singular entity. This year is much more tangible, and I think more revealing. I have no compunction to build a professional life that excludes the presence of my wife on a daily basis. The idea of a future that might separate us for days at a time causes me great anxiety. I do not want to have to explain myself in social settings, or live a life wondering how to do so many things my wife does so naturally. Life is short as they say, and far too short to spend any more time than I have to without my beloved Juliet.

Happy Anniversary Schmee! I love you,

Michael