I have to take a fashion break to write a little bit about my husband, Andrew, on the occasion of his 40th birthday tomorrow. You have gotten to know him through his posts, but that only gives you a bit of the picture.
You see, this blog would not be here without him. My career would not be as successful, in fact, it probably would be completely different. I might still be slaving away in a cubicle as an insurance broker (yes, I was one for two years before this). I’ve never been a risk taker, in fact, I am scared shitless of taking risks. Andrew, on the other hand, embraces them not only as opportunity but also as life’s best teaching lesson. He’s fallen and gotten back up time and time again, but because of that has become one of the smartest people I know. But let me go back a little…
We met on Match.com. Yes, the internet has blessed me not only with this amazing career but also with a husband! And 11 years ago, not many people were meeting that way. Certainly not my peers, one year out of college. As fate had it, my inability to talk to men in bars and his post-divorce uncertainty in the dating scene caused us to meet. We were each others first and ONLY date on Match. Hey, when it works, it works. But it wasn’t love at first sight. It took us a while to find our stride, mostly because I was a very confused 22 year old. After stumbling a bit, we did figure it out and before I knew it I had a ring on my finger. Through the years we’ve had high highs and low lows- challenges that we thought might break us, but knowing deep down that we were in it together for long haul.
He’s been my biggest cheerleader, encouraging me from day one. He was the one who urged me to quit my job and pursue my dream (supporting us while I did it) and never ONCE has been threatened by my success. In fact, no one is prouder. His career took a little longer to figure out, but I think he finally has. He’s worked so hard to get where he is- getting his master’s degree nights and weekends while running his own company, and then starting over in a new industry when he decided where he was wasn’t where he wanted to be. He’s taken risks with start-ups and tried working for a huge company, and now finally seems happier than ever where he is. It’s so nice to see him so inspired, just as I feel every day.
But I do think he has another calling- as a motivational speaker. The man gives me the BEST speeches to get me out of my “I can’t do it!!!” funks. He does this for everyone in his family. We all roll our eyes a little when we hear we are about to get “a talk” from Andrew, but I know every single person on the receiving end appreciates them immensely. He cares SO much about everyone he loves- there is never any doubt about that. He takes time to let people know that too, and I think that’s rare in this world. He still opens my car door, every single time, after 11 years. He does my laundry and folds it. Grocery shops. Paints rooms and re-paints them when I think it’s “a little off” (but not without a serious eye roll). Adores our dogs and proudly walks them even though they are little and fancy. :) Supports me when I go off my rocker. Loves me despite my deep flaws, and sometime because of them.
I am a very lucky woman.
I know he is going to be one of the best fathers on the planet, I believe this deep down to my core. I really hope that this will be the year I can give him the ability to do just that. I can’t wait to see him with a little one of our own, teaching them to be brave while simultaneously giggling with them over farts.
Andrew, I love you. You are a wonderful husband, devoted son, brother and cousin, amazing friend and the world is better because you are in it. I am so glad I get to grow old with you. Happy 40th birthday.
** After renovating our kitchen I couldn’t give Andrew what I really wanted to give him for his birthday (he’s still going to have a good birthday though, don’t worry). But here is my dream birthday for Andrew (with a little fashion thrown in- it IS Friday after all and the man likes to look good):
1) A kick ass new blazer. This one is tough meets slick by Belstaff.
2) A Newfoundland puppy. They are his absolute favorite.
3) A vintage Rolex Sea Dweller. He tried one on years ago and fell hard for it. Like me and my dream Love bracelet.
4) A nice pair of jeans tailored for his 6′ 4″ frame (it’s hard to find them).
5) An aged 21 years bottle of scotch. “I love Scotch, scotchy, scotch scotch…”
6) A crazy comfy cashmere zip neck sweater (to be layerd under blazer with the jeans and a collared shirt- my FAVORITE look).
7) This notebook to jot down all his big business ideas (and I love the cover because he is always telling me “Everything is not black and white! It’s grey!”)
8) An awesome ping pong table for the basement so he can have epic hours long matches like he does at my parent’s house with my brothers on holidays.
9) A shiny new BMW X5, his favorite car. He’s had a couple before and sold his last one when things got a little tight a few years ago. I would love for him to have his dream car again. He so deserves it.
10) A first class flight to Paris for a week to stay HERE. No city makes us happier as a couple.
A big happy birthday to andrew! Could be dangerous combining a birthday and st. patricks day in one weekend…I’m sure you’ll manage though :)
That’s beautiful, Erin. Happy Birthday Andrew!
Happy Birthday, Andrew! Thank you Erin for sharing such a wonderful tribute to your husband. Thank you too for showing that even when life gets tough, you still hold on to one another and support one another. Through your blog, we all feel as if we know you in some aspect, this being said, you really seem to compliment each other with your strong suits. Again, Happy Birthday, Andrew (my best friend’s name) and congratulations for finding each other! Happy St. Patrick’s Day also!
Such a great post Erin – I’m a huge Andrew fan! Happy birthday big-A!
This is so sweet and a very nice tribute to your guy!
This brought a little tear to my eye. Seriously, this is such a heartwarming tribute to your partner in crime; you are both so lucky to have on another. Happy Birthday, Andrew. Cheers to the next 40!
happy birthday andrew!
That is SUCH a loving tribute…I got chills!! You are a very lucky girl.
Hope it’s the BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!! franki
Happy Birthday Andrew! He sounds like an incredible man. A Yin to your Yang. Have fun celebrating this weekend.
Erin,
This is such a lovely message! You are blessed and you deserve it. Happy Birthday Andrew!
♥, LONDA
designroundup.blogspot.com
Happy Birthday Andrew! He is indeed a lucky man.
What an incredibly lovely and loving post. Happy Birthday to Andrew!
This seriously got me a little choked up. What a great hubby you have, Erin! Happy birthday Andrew!
Hope you both have a wonderful weekend celebrating Andrew’s birthday!
Your post speaks to the true meaning of marriage- supporting each other, leaning on each other, loving each other through the thick and thin, and being able to laugh through it all…
Happy Birthday to your husband. FYI – I think the motivational speaking is an awesome idea – something so needed in the Boston area & I had a very good interior designer friend attend your event where he spoke and she said he was awesome! I would totally sign up for some motivation speeches!
This is a great post saluting your husband on his 40th. You are lucky and I am sure that he feels the same way about having you.
#9 teared me up
Happy Birthday Good man, Mr. Andrew!!!!
Beautiful. You are one lucky woman. I love all your picks. Here’s hoping he gets one or two of them. Happy 40th Birthday Andrew.
Wishing your cheerleader a rah rah rah Happy B-D-A-Y!
Hope his day is as great as he is to you. So fun to celebrate and share celebrations with the ones we love.
You need to write a book….I did not want the story to end.
pve
Your beautiful post itself is a lovely present to Andrew. Happy Birthday to him!
Loved reading this post! What an awesome guy you have!
Happy Birthday Andrew!!! Erin, what a beautiful tribute to your husband. You are BOTH so lucky to have found one another. Have a fun weekend celebrating.
happy birthday andrew! my hubby and i also met on match.com 9 years ago. best email i ever sent.
Happy, happy birthday to Andrew – this post brings tears to my eyes. xox
Love this—-and as I said 11 years ago—-he’s a keeper!
Awwww. Tearing up just reading such a sweet ode. I think you are both very blessed to have each other. Happy 40th, Andrew!
Wow, that was so sweet and so well written. I am sure he feels just as lucky! Very inspiring to hear both your stories as Keith and I are trying to find our dreams right now career wise. So nice to hear your stories! xo Irene
So I am not getting the X5? :)
Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes. I think we all know we are both lucky to have found each other and for all that I do for her, she does as much and often more for me. Here is to a kick ass next 10 years for all of us.
This is wonderful. We all love Andrew! Happy 40th!
Such a lovely tribute, Erin!
Your story reminds me a lot of my own. My husband and I also met on match.com, and he has always been my biggest cheerleader. He supported me when I was in grad school, and motivates me every day to take risks and push myself farther.(And like you, I know what an incredibly lucky woman I am. :)
Happy Birthday, Andrew!
Happy Birthday Andrew! Have a great weekend :) Erin, you are making me feel like a crappy wife! What a great post!
So sweet your post today, Erin. It is great to hear two people so in love and supportive of one another. He might not get his X5 but I think someone’s getting lucky this weekend…Happy St. Patty’s Day ;D Enjoy the weekend!
I always love reading Andrew’s posts & know he’s a great guy! You guys are very lucky to have found each other :) Happy Birthday Andrew!
This is by far the most adorable post I’ve read in a long time!
Dear Andrew-
You definitely have earned a night out at Capital Grille. Go for it and enjoy. Drink – a lot….
Beautiful tribute to your husband. And by the way, get him the Newfoundland puppy. The picture looks exactly like my 4 year old Newfie, Basil, when he was a baby. You will never be sorry.
Happy Birthday Andrew! I hope you two enjoy the weekend.
Love the way you talk about your man. I am sure you know in this day and age that is also a rarity. It is so refreshing to hear someone your age speak so highly of their love for their spouse. I have been married to the love of my life for 43 years and I still get excited to see him every single day. We are very blessed woman and I am sure Andrew feels equally as blessed to have you. I think you chose some amazing gifts for him, even if he doesn’t get any of them, he knows they come from you heart. Loved this post, thank you for sharing your sweet love story! happy Birthday Andrew and may you both have a wonderful weekend together,
Kathysue
To know him is to love him…and if it weren’t for our damn grandmother’s speech, i’d be married to him! :) I love you both!
You are so very, very lucky, and I hope you know, it and enjoy your amazing life. I feel like you do! Happy Birthday to your sweet hubby.
Erin,
You write beautifully and with so much true emotion.
If you ever are in Chicago I would hire you in a heartbeat!
I have loved watching the evolution of your house. We
have a colonial that we have been redoing for 25 years.
It never stops! Happy Birthday to your husband.
Great post! A great husband is a bliss! Caroline
What a beautiful, inspiring and heart warming post… True love is definitely the best gift anyone could receive and it looks like he has been given that from you! Have a wonderful time celebrating! Xo
Favorite post you’ve ever written!
Happy Birthday Andrew! Thank you for writing this all out b/c to be honest it just put a whole stupid day of crying and arguing with my husband into perspective for me…my husband is quite amazing as well and sometimes I forget to appreciate him for it and you totally just put me in my place….well needed. So thank you for taking the time out of your day (everyday) b/c you never know how its going to change one of your readers day. I’m going to go give my hubs a hug and a kiss and say thanks..even though its not his birthday, he still deserves it.
Hope Andrew’s party was a blast…no doubt it was a beautiful success!!
You guys sound like a fun couple!
Happy Birthday Andrew!
I’m TOTALLY with Andrew on the X5! Best SUV ever! I, too, had to give one up when I needed more room for carpooling… I cried a lot that day! And so it is again my dream car for a later date when all the kids have grown and don’t require so much dang space :(
Feliz cumpleaños!Son muy afortunados por amarse de esa manera! Espero algún día encontrar a alguien así de maravilloso! Felicidades.
You both are very lucky :)
Nice scotch! The Balvenie 21 is divine!
What wonderful sentiments! Sounds like you’ve got a good one to stand by you through thick and thin. Mazel to you both!
Love Andrew’s positive nature! Hope he can continue to write for your blog in the future. I’ve really enjoyed his past contributions. Congrats on 40!