Ode to Kyle.

Dear Hubs,

Remember that one time (like, way back in the day) when I got the chance to go to Miss America for a week and watch all of the fun preliminary competitions and meet up with really cool girls that I totally love, and eat at yummy restaurants and shop at fun stores where I can't afford anything that's in them but it's still really fun to look...and you said. "Wow, babe, you'd be gone for 6 days and I would really, really miss you, and it would sort of be horrible." and then I said "I know, I would miss you so much, but I really want to go to Miss America." and then you said "I think you would be really sad if you missed out, so you should go." and I said "Yaaaaay!" and I got to go have a really fun week with my friends?

Remember that?

That was awesome.

And remember how when I was in Las Vegas,

my friends and I stumbled upon a pirate ship where they

were playing music and I got to do this:

and this:

and this:

and this:

Remember that?

That was the best.

And do you remember how I called you later and told you that I danced the night away with a charming Senior Citizen who was visiting from Russia and you said:

"That's so great, babe."

Remember that?

I thought it was so cool that you didn't get jealous

and try to hunt him down and kill him.

You're so great like that.

And remember how last night, I was like

"I'm way tired and don't feel like making dinner, will you please take me to the Trolley and buy me a chicken quesadilla and a greasy pile of fresh-cut french fries?" and you said "Sure."?

Remember that?

That was awesome.

I so needed that.

And remember how last night, I was putting on make up for the first time that day and you came and sat behind me and gave me a really nice shoulder rub?

Remember that?

It felt so nice...

And remember that on the very first day we met, you said

"Do you guys want to come to institute with us? They're having a class about Celestial Marriage"

and I said

"Sure, I'm planning on having one of those some day."

to which you replied

"Me too. Why don't we just do it?"

and I said

"Okay, sure."

and then you asked me where we should go to get married and I said

"My mom and dad got married in the Salt Lake Temple, so I've always wanted to go there."

and then you said

"Mine too! That's where I've always wanted to go. Let's do it."

and then I said

"Okay!"

And then remember how we both walked in awkward silence for a minute because we were both thinking: "Man, that would be crazy if that actually happened."? Remember that? That was cool.

Then, Remember how we got engaged 3 months later, but that I called it off because it was too sudden and I wanted to be really, REALLY sure that I made the right decision and then we broke up and I cried for 3 days, lost 18 pounds during the next 2 weeks, and almost died from Kyle withdrawals? Remember that? That was lame.

Then Remember how we got back together and it was crazy sparks and fireworks all over again and I felt like the piece of my soul that had been ripped from my body was finally back and whole and healthy again and I never wanted to let you out of my sight as long as I lived and I was really, REALLY sure that I wanted to marry you and only you really, really bad and that I only wanted to be with you for the rest of my life?

Remember that?

That was fantastic.

Then do you remember how we went here?

and that it was really rainy, but we didn't care?

And do you remember how our photographer told you to do a stupid toyota jump in the background and you really didn't want to, but you're sweet, so you humored the guy?

Remember that?

That was pretty funny.

Remember that time when our friends were like:

"Do you guys want to come to a murder mystery party?"

and we were like:

"Heck yes."

and then we went and you were a big, hunky roman solder guy and I was a promiscuous something or other?

Remember that?

That was fun.

and do you remember when we took Kort to see all of the cool animals at the Bean museum and you made a bunch of ugly faces in every picture I took?

Remember that?

I really liked that.

Remember how when we go on vacations, you're always an awesome dad who plays with his son and helps his wife and makes sure that we get everywhere we need to go safely?

Remember that?

That's the best.

Remember how, when we were dating, you would always tug on my seat belt to check

and make sure that it was buckled nice and tight?

Remember that?

I loved that.

Remember that one time, when I got home from my Miss America trip, how I cried and cried because I was so happy to see you, and because I missed you so much, and because you are the best husband in the whole wide world, and I was just so happy?

Remember that?

That's because I'm so grateful that you're mine.

Remember how we always set out to take family pictures like this:

But end up taking pictures that look more like this?

Remember that?

That's because you're hilarious.

Remember how, when we were dating, you loved "Saved By The Bell" and didn't even try to hide your passionate and abiding love for Zac and the gang? Remember how you would challenge everyone to a Saved By The Bell Trivia face off and how you would always win no matter what and no one could stump you? Remember that? I really liked that about you.

Remember this?

This is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

It is hilarious, and makes me just a tich uncomfortable as well.

Remember when I first started volunteering at the South Utah Valley Animal Shelter and on my very first day I came home with 65 pounds of this?

And remember how I told you that he was really sick and skinny, and that they were just

about to kill him so I had to bring him home...and you said

"okay."

and then you fell in love with him, named him Bubbuh, and bought him a nice collar

and engraved tag that says "Bubbuh Dugovic" on it? Remember that?

I will love you forever for that.

Remember how after we got married and moved back from Hawaii

we decided to get pregnant with him?

Remember that?

That changed/blessed/enhanced our lives for eternity.

And remember how he was always really smart and good-looking

because his dad is so smart and good looking?

Remember that?

Well, that was just icing on the cake.

Remember when I was delivering him and I decided not to use any drugs and you thought that was awesome and just held my hand and rubbed my back and didn't say stupid things like "Just breathe" or "You can do it" or "You can still get an epidural"? Do you remember how you just stayed quiet and loved me and supported me instead? Remember that?

That was really smart of you.
Remember how, after he was born, you almost died when you had to leave for work because you couldn't stand to be away from us all day, so you ended up starting your own businesses and working from home? Remember that?

I loved that you loved him so much.

Remember how you went to Chicago on business for two full weeks and you missed us so bad that you thought you might die and then you bought Kort a big, huge, tricycle and dismantled it so you could bring it home in your suitcase and he was sooooo excited when you gave it to him? Remember that?

That was sweet.

Remember how we couldn't ever leave Kortland with a babysitter while we went on anniversary trips because we missed him so bad that we couldn't even enjoy ourselves, so we always brought him along and had a really great vacation?

Remember that?

I was glad we felt the same way.

Remember how you're the kind of dad who doesn't think he's too cool to feed, change, clothe, read to, and take care of our son?

Remember that?

I. am. so. lucky.

Remember how you hugged me and loved on me and said how much you missed me when I got back from Las Vegas and then how we stayed up until 2:00 in the morning laughing so hard that it hurt and talking about our week, and our lives, and our hilarious little boy because you're my very best friend and that's what best friends do? Remember that?

That makes me think that we're going to have a beautiful rest of our lives.

1.27.09