Tracie P, it’s been 15 years since we got married and 17 years since we first started dating. Happy anniversary!

I still get a flutter in my heart with every time you write me “I miss you” and “I love you.” I really do. I still can’t believe that someone as beautiful as you could love someone like me. But it’s true and I am grateful every day — poo, poo, poo! — for your love and our life together.

Do you remember these lyrics I wrote for you, nearly 10 years ago now:

Fast forward to a time, a couple years from now
And then rewind to find the reason
In the where and what and how
The woman brought the very best out of you
When she said I do

It’s so true: you have made me a whole soul again and your love has given me the strength and courage to be the person I have always wanted to be.

It’s been 13 years since Georgia was born, 11 since Lila Jane came into this world.

Watch her hold the babies
When the thunder makes them cry
Hear her tell them that she loves them
And you’ll wonder why it took so long
To get here from that day in 1975
Doesn’t it feel good to be alive?

Tonight we’ll celebrate by going out to dinner at a new, chic Mexican restaurant in our city.

We won’t be budgeting like we used to when we ate at all those down-and-dirty Tex Mex places in Austin when we were first dating.

But the thrill of going out together has only grown brighter in my heart. It truly has. Thank you for giving me the absolute best years of my life.

Happy anniversary, piccinina. I love you and I can’t wait to stare into your eyes tonight as we celebrate.