Honouring My Hubby

The good ol' days...

The good ol’ days…

Today, on our anniversary, I am sending love to my hubby.

It’s been 11 years since we tied the knot in a two minute ceremony at city hall in NYC.  My parents were the only ones in attendance.   Later that year, we honoured our union again with a spiritual ceremony on the cliffs of San Francisco along with 30 of our closest family and friends.  Now we get to celebrate two anniversaries each year!

Many marriages have crumbled under the pressures we faced in the last 11 years…   Depression, death, moves, homelessness, cancer…  But somehow we survived.  There were many times when we could have said, “Screw this!  This is too much.  I’m outta here.”  But we never did.

In the day-to-day struggles I often forget to tell my husband how much I love him.  How grateful I am for his support.  How I treasure our bond.  How I appreciate all the little (and big) things he does for this family.

I know it’s not easy being the sole breadwinner.  Feeling the weight of our endless medical bills.  Credit card debt that never seems to go away.  Always struggling to make ends meet.  Knowing your family is depending on you to stay afloat.

I know it’s not easy being married to someone whose sex drive is not what it used to be.  Having a wife whose energy is depleted by the time you get home from work.  You must wonder if things will ever get back to “normal” again.  If the confident, sensual woman you married will ever reappear.

I know it’s hard picking up the slack.  Taking on many of the things your wife used to do – before she had cancer.  The cleaning…  The laundry…  The cooking…  On top of everything else you do.   I know it gets exhausting.

I know it’s scary to have a wife with a terminal diagnosis.  The fear that circles around in your head.  The uncertainty of our lives.  The anxiety surrounding treatment decisions.  The sadness that enters your heart when you think about the possibility of losing your wife…  Your partner…  The mother of your child.

I know you feel that life is unfair.  I know you’re angry at God.  I know you question why we’ve had to carry the weight of so many challenges.  I wish I had the answers for you.  But I don’t.

I remember what our lives used to be like.  How much fun we had.  How manageable it all seemed.  How frisky and in love we were.  I understand the deep wanting for things to go back to how they used to be.  I get stuck there too.

But somehow we must forge ahead.  Enjoy the good moments when we have them.  Learn to accept and hopefully embrace our new reality.  Build a new life.

After 11 years of marriage I need you to know that I am still madly in love with you.  I still think you’re totally hot.  You make me laugh with your crazy antics and our inside jokes.  You’re a terrific father.   You’ve got a kind and generous spirit.  You’re a hustler.  A survivor.  And I know when the chips are down you’ve got my back.  You always have.  Please know that you are adored, appreciated, and loved.

We’ll make it through this just like we made it through everything else in our crazy lives.

Happy anniversary!  xoxo  – your Luanna

13 Comments

  1. Donna-Lee DePrille on March 25, 2014 at 11:51 am

    Wishing you the best, today and every day!



  2. Eryka Peskin on March 25, 2014 at 11:53 am

    One of the most beautiful love letters I’ve ever read, to a deserving man from an incredible wife.

    Love you both, and happy anniversary!



  3. Lauren on March 25, 2014 at 12:51 pm

    How beautiful – your love is an inspiration. Happy Anniversary, with many, many more to follow.



  4. Lisa on March 25, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    What a beautiful, moving tribute.



  5. Dad on March 25, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    What a sweet post! You said it all.



  6. Teafaerie on March 25, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    You two are amongst the Lucky Ones, all things considered. You’re relationship has been sorely tested, but it’s proved to be load bearing. You have a beautiful daughter and a family who loves you.

    Heres wishing this next year will be easier than the last one. It’s totally possible, you know! Both of you deserve a little bit of easy time.

    And you deserve one another, which is saying a lot.

    Happy Anniversary! <3



  7. daniel on March 25, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    Lovely letter to a sweet and solid man.



  8. John on March 25, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    Happy Anniversary to you both! Much love — John



  9. Maggie Ortiz on March 28, 2014 at 2:37 pm

    I will always remember your wedding on the Marin cliffs…how the sun came out…the priest who married you…your mom was so happy and your father sang and played music in pure joy! A wonderful celebration.
    Love from your cousins, Maggie & Ricardo



    • Dad on March 28, 2014 at 5:25 pm

      One of the happiest of my many happy memories of that day is of seeing you again after so long, Maggie! We knew each other best during adolescence and young adulthood, when all is misery; it was nice to share joy with you. Give my love to Rick!



      • Maggie Ortiz on April 1, 2014 at 11:42 am

        We have shared many people places and things…



  10. Alicia Noonan on April 24, 2014 at 11:06 am

    Hi warrior! I have not spoken to you. I have a very difficult test this Friday afternoon but I would love to sit and chat with you if you have the time. I go to Niantic all the time since my bead store is downtown and I always think of you. I don’t have your cell but sen me an email at EB when you get a chance. I would love to show you the bead jewelry I’ve made. It is super fun to make it and my husband is thrilled I don’t spend a lot of money on Jewelry…..!
    By the way, I hope you realize you have earned the right to do whatever your warrior heart desires so ROCK ON WITH YOUR DANCE!!!!
    Alicia



  11. Marriage on July 25, 2014 at 1:26 am

    Thanks and may God give you strength to continue your journey together