Gallo of Sonoma

On October 4, 2001, my best friend showed up at my apartment with a bottle of wine, a bouquet of sunflowers, and a funny card about a trailer park to wish me happy 22nd birthday. He scribbled something inside the card that changed my heart, and ultimately, my life. Not in so many words, he reminded me that I should never settle for anything or more important, anybody. He reminded me that I should be treated well – like a blessing instead of a burden. He reminded me of my self-worth. He reminded me that there was someone out there who would care more about me than about himself.

I have carried that bottle of wine around with me for five years now. It's moved a grand total of six times, each move marking a new chapter of my life. I've been saving it for a special occasion. I have had plenty of joyous occasions to celebrate in the last five years, but I wasn't quite ready.

Tonight, I will open that wine. I recognize that I'm at a point in my life where I've reached all of the goals that Robert set forth for me (whether he knew he was setting goals is completely beside the point). I am treated well, I did not settle, I have held on to myself, and I have learned that I care more about Doug that I do about me. Even better than that, I know Doug cares more about me than about himself.

Tonight, we celebrate two years of marriage, but we celebrate more than that. We celebrate happiness, oneness, and life and love and all of the things that we hoped for when we started out down this road. We celebrate the promise that we made to each other on that beach 2,000 miles away and we're glad about it. So, Gallo of Sonoma – tonight we part ways. Thanks for sitting on my shelf and reminding me what love is all about.