Ain't No Other Man

Today there is a big birthday in our house. A day when my other half revels in being the same age for 2 months before reminding me he is still the younger one (as long as he doesn't say age before beauty, I can handle that.) Seeing as this guy is a pretty big deal in my life, and I also have this written platform for sharing more than just a Facebook post praise, I figured I should take the time to tell you what he means to me. This also covers me for that birthday present that hasn't arrived yet.

I could tell you how I never grow tired of hearing the story of how we met. How he found me in the student union when we were both but teenagers. How he tried to play it cool but knew he had never met anyone like me, and never would again. How he waited to kiss me for the first time scared to death until the very last song of my sorority formal, a KC and Jojo number that defines love and slow dancing in the early 2000s. How two days later he gave me 20 pink carnations on my 20th birthday and how I knew I had never met anyone like him and never would again. 

I could tell you about what an amazing father he is. The kind that reads every book, strengthens every blanket fort, sips every cup of pretend tea. The 5 o'clock hero that takes a deep breathe just before entering our home after a long day at work ready to take on whatever waits for him on the other side.

I could tell you that he is by far the better kitchen cleaner (even though I still swear I taught him how to load a dishwasher.) He scrubs every toilet, sprays every diaper, dumps every trash can.  

I could tell you about his great big sappy and passionate heart. He cares deeply about everything from the work he does every day raising awareness for child advocacy in Texas, to the latest quarterback interest for his beloved Buckeyes. I could tell you how I glow with pride when I see him speak in front of an audience, the way he carries himself with confidence and compassion all at the same time, the kind of qualities that we need in our leaders (but Lord please don't call him to politics.)  

I could tell you how since my parents, I have never met a single person who cares more deeply about seeing me happy and successful ​in whatever I do, from an independent career to mothering to following new dreams. They might say behind every great man is a better woman. Well in my house, there's a pretty great guy behind this woman too. 

I could tell you all of these things. And I would mean every word. But sometimes a poem speaks more to what you are trying to express. Sometimes others' words express the very feelings you have about a person and you can't help but steal their work. So today, in the words of the great poet Christina Aguilera I bring you everything I feel about my husband, my partner, my cheer leader, my strength. Feel free to read this in a dramatic poetry slam reading. 

Aint No Other Man  by Christina Aguilera

Ain't no other man, can stand up next to you
Ain't no other man on the planet does what you do
You're the kinda guy, a girl finds in a blue moon. 
You got soul, you got class.
You got style you're bad ass

Ain't no other man it's true

Ain't no other man but you.

​I love you, Mike. There truly ain't no other man but you. Happy Birthday!