Now, be quiet ... please don't tell my wife but today is my girlfriend's birthday. To boot, just a couple of months ago, we celebrated 25 years of my being completely in love with her!

Our first date was on Valentine's Day my junior year of high school. Lisa has always been able to make me laugh. That was probably something I noticed during our first date. She has a great sense of humor and doesn't take herself too seriously. I like that in a person.

That was just the start of things that I have tried to learn from her and things I so admire in her. Lisa has always inspired me with her optimism and naturally positive spirit. Sure, all of us can get down from time to time but it never lasts long with her and she is always driven forward by a faith in the future, a belief that we can determine our own attitude, and a constant awareness that the past is past and cannot be changed.

In her own quiet way, she has been hugely instrumental in my faith journey. And I love watching her with Evan. She has the athletic gene of our family and is able to teach him so many things that I could not begin to.

I guess I am rambling here (imagine that!) butI am so truly blessed by this wonderful woman who is my girlfriend ... my partner in and for life. I look forward to every second I can spend with her and I look forward to growing old together. There could never be anyone I'd rather spend my life with.

Happy birthday, girlfriend. I know you have a busy day lined up today but, even when we're not together, I will be loving you every minute of it. Thanks for all you do for me, your constant care for me, your support of me, your putting up with me. I love you from the tips of my toes to the top of my shiny bald head.