Happy 29th Birthday, Phillip Jackson Duncan!

My Dearest Phillip,

May 23rd! My very favorite day of the year. The day you were born and the day our family was born.

When I sat down at this very computer one year ago today to write your Birthday letter, I remember thinking that it was impossible to love you more than I did at that moment. I was wrong. My love for you has grown by leaps and bounds over the last year as I have watched you grow even more as a father and as a husband. To put it simply, you are the most amazing person I have ever known.

I really don't know how to express just how much I adore you. It almost seems trite to try. The good thing is that I think you already know. I will say that I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you and I will be together forever. We have been through some of the hardest things a marriage can endure over the past eight years. And, by the grace of God, we are more in love today than we were the day my Daddy walked me down the aisle. The most beautiful part is that I know neither of us would change a thing because it has made us who we are.

Our love is Real. It is Authentic. But it is not perfect. We fight. We argue. We certainly don't always see eye to eye. But we are friends. Partners. Sidekicks. Each a perfect complement to the other. We always work it out. And beneath it all, there is an undercurrent of grace and love that carries us along when we are unable to carry ourselves. I love you. You love me. Til death do us part.

I am so glad you chose me. And I am even more thankful that you continue to choose me each day. I am so glad you are Jack's Daddy. He loves you so much. It melts me to see the adoration in his eyes when he looks at you. You are his hero. And you are my hero, too.

Happy 29th Birthday, Phillip. And Happy 8th Anniversary, too. This is your day!!

Always,

Mary Alice