My Rock

Instead of the usual thoughtfully scribbled "happy birthday" card, I wanted to write a short essay on the interwebs for your 25th birthday.

You are turning 25, a milestone birthday that marks a quarter of a century of your life, and I want to take this moment to write down all some of the reasons why I love you and attempt to capture all the joy you bring into my life.

You have been my rock. You've been the steady presence in my life, the anchor that keeps me grounded, and the person I can always rely on. Someone to get a little sweet treat? Someone to go for endless cuddles? Someone to pick me up early from the Gym cause the hot yoga was too intense?

From the very beginning of our journey together, you've been the person I can lean on. When I left my old passport with the visa at your Dogpatch apartment, regardless of us being together for less than a month flew to Mexico to see me!

It was so bonding to drink horchata together at night after eating mediocre pozole (yours is the best), making mezcal cocks, and just exploring the city together. Even though I'm still a bit salty about you abandoning me when I was sick as a dog in the hotel, I realized how much I loved you during this trip. I guess its the small things :).

Even though I love exploring and travelling the world with you, my most favorite moments are the ones from day to day life. Whether you are throwing it back to Megan, cooking something in the kitchen, or eating something really yummy I love seeing glimpses of joy on your face.

In the almost three years we've been together, I've had a front row seat into your growth into (imho) a better boyfriend and better person. First things first, now you like Pho. Even though to the average person this wouldn't be a big deal, this has fundamentally changed the dynamics of our relationship. During Karl the fog's very frequent visits, no longer do we have to wonder what we are going to have for dinner or lunch. We can both enjoy a warm, steaming bowl of pho together talking about the latest Wordle from NYTGames. This all to say, I love seeing you experience new cultures, new foods, new vibes, and open yourself up to try new things!

As we look down the many years we are gonna spend together, I can't wait to visit new places, try new foods, and experience new experiences. If the last 2.9 years were this good, who knows what the future bring. Hopefully hundreds of bowls of steaming hot pho.

I love you my bean.

- Daniel