Nine years ago I arrived to pick you up for our first date, and upon knocking I heard your roommates break into hysterical laughter. That reaction could only mean one of two things, I thought. You were either really excited for our date (as in “OMG! He’s here! Go get him, girlfriend!”), or you were dreading it big time (as in “Ha! He’s here. Have a wonderful time, Heather. Ha, ha, ha!”) Luckily for me it was more of the former than the latter, and after a long, free flowing conversation, we had our first kiss on your couch while watching Conan O’Brien. Weird things you remember, huh?
Nine years ago: on the field at Dodger Stadium
Eight years ago you were about to move to New York (to work an exciting music industry job), and despite our having become inseparable, some of my friends wondered whether we would be able to survive a long distance relationship. Looking back, I can’t remember even an ounce of worry that we might not make it. We were just that great together.
Seven years ago you moved back to Los Angeles and into my apartment. It was a big step for us, but it didn’t seem so big after my extended stays at your postage sized New York apartment. You had to crawl over the bed to get to the bathroom, remember? Of course, it may not have seemed like such a big move because it just felt right.
Six years ago we had just finished our first year of living together and taken another big step – we expanded our family to three with a baby. A fur one, that is. Rigby taught us a lot about responsibility, but better than that, she showed me just how great our family was going to be.
Five years ago we married high above the city of Angels, danced to a Beatles’ tribute band after saying “I do,” and pledged ourselves to each other for the rest of our lives. One of the three best days of my life…
Five years ago: self portrait on our wedding day
Four years ago we visited our beautiful daughter, Maddie, in the NICU, and rocked her in our arms to a Beatles’ lullaby CD. Our year together had been incredibly difficult – from your endless weeks on bed rest to the frightening and tearful days in the NICU – but I couldn’t have been more proud that you were my wife at the end of it. Your strength and positivity were amazing things to see.
Three years ago I had a new job, Maddie was an impossibly smile-y and adorable one year old, and we celebrated our anniversary in Vegas discussing the days ahead with excitement. Upon getting home and watching you lift Maddie into your arms I wondered how I ever got so lucky as to have these two extraordinary females in my life.
Two years ago we were finishing the worst year of our lives; a year so horrific that until it came to pass I never imagined such depths were possible. Some people questioned whether we would survive such an experience, but just as when you moved to New York, our love proved too resilient, strong, and beautiful to be broken. We survived. Together. And you made me even prouder to call you my wife than ever before.
One year ago we were at the end of another incredibly difficult year. Having another child in the wake of such loss was harder than we ever imagined, but it was also full of tremendous joy. Just as I had a couple years before, I watched you hold Annabel and wondered what I ever did to deserve the two of you.
This year we are celebrating our anniversary in our first home, and I find myself sitting next to you watching Conan O’Brien once again. The Conan show isn’t where anyone imagined it would be nine years ago (TBS?!), and neither are we. We have been through so much together, and I don’t know what I would have done without you by side. I love you so much, and I am so proud to call you my girl.
This year: together in San Francisco
Next year will bring better days, if only because we have each other. xoxo
{ 95 comments… read them below or add one }
Mike, you are like every woman’s dream guy. Heather how lucky and blessed you are to have such a great husband. Happy anniversary you guys!!! Here’s to many many many many more!
Becca Masters´s last [type] ..If you’re happy and you know it….
^^ totally agree!!! Happy Anniversary!
Me too!! Happy Anniversary, Mike & Heather!
Yeah…what she said!:) You got me all teary, Mike! Happy Anniversary!:)
I just burst into tears. You two are so lucky to have each other.
Me too!
Tears in my eyes too, lovely words, Mike, a special post for your special lady. Happy Anniversary Mr and Mrs Spohr
Crying here, too. Beautiful post. Happy anniversary.
Crying here too. So incredibly sweet & wonderful. You two were definitely made for each other.
Happy anniversary & to many many more years together!
Crying here, too!
Add me to the crying list as well! So wonderful and sweetly said Mike!
Mike this is such a lovely post. Congratulations you two. You are such beautiful people. I wish you great joy. Happy Anniversary!
Kelly´s last [type] ..Transitions and Perfection
Happy anniversary!
This is just beautiful! Happy anniversary!
Happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
ClassyFabSarah´s last [type] ..Six Months Later
You are the absolute best, Mike! I’m sure that Heather looks at you,,,the same way that you look at her, and she wonders how she got so lucky! Happy Anniversary!!!!! What a great family you are!!!!!!
Awe, you guys are great, Happy Anniversary!! Annabell is lucky to have you as parents too!
AAwwwee – what a GREAT, Romantic post Mike!!! One my own hubby will be studying every day until our next Anniversary so he can be so romantic and loving.
I agree….what you guys have a uber special. I’m glad you found each other and am as equally proud to call you both my friends!!!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MIKE!!!
Enjoy your Special Day together!!
Beautiful, just beautiful! Congratulations on nine years together!
Michele´s last [type] ..Christmas Time Is Here
SO So sweet Mike! Happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
This is one of the best things I’ve ever read. I have tears in my eyes…Happy anniversary
oh my. so beautiful.
you both are very lucky:)
how loving and sweet. You two were definitely meant to be.
You two are just the cutest! Happy Anniversary and may you have many more happy anniversaries to come.
This is the sweetest thing I’ve seen in a long time. Happy, happy anniversary. Here’s to another 9 years, infinitely.
What a beautiful post! You two are so lucky to have each other. Happy anniversary!
Love. This. Post. You made me cry! LOL. And happy anniversary!
Brandy´s last [type] ..We Need Help
beautiful words. you two are so lucky to have each other, mike!!
happy anniversary….and, many, many more!!
sobbing. this is beautiful.
Kate´s last [type] ..November 4, 2008
Wow. This is beautiful. I’m trying not to compare husbands…but it’s hard when all I get is a signed card on our anniversary. No original words inside of it except his signature. Sigh. What I would kill for a letter like this! Heather, you are one lucky lady
Happy Anniversary!
katrina @ They All Call Me Mom´s last [type] ..tree trimming traditions
Be thankful you get that Katrina! A few years ago, I got flowers with a blank florist card that someone kindly wrote “No signature” on. My husband told the florist he didn’t want to sign it or put a message. Another year, I got a completely blank card. My husband thinks it’s really funny that he chooses the minimal effort approach. He says it’s his “style”. So not true when we were dating. Sigh.
Beautiful post! Happy Anniversary Spohrs!
This is SO sweet, I am literally crying in Chik Fil A reading this on my iPhone! You two are both so so lucky to have each other! I know I don’t know either of you in person, but just from what I’ve read on your blog, you guys just seem to fit together so well! Happy anniversary!
Beautiful post!
Sweetest thing ever. The love you two have for each other will conquer any thing this world has in store for you. Here’s to some peace and some happy days ahead.
Kristin´s last [type] ..Photo Card
Mike – This is so beautiful! Happy Anniversary to you both.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..The Family Bed
This is the most heartfelt thing ever. just ever. you are such a lovely strong inspiring couple. thank you for sharing.
as everyone else before me: tears in my eyes at this incredibly sweet post! You guys are an amazing team and I have no doubt that you can accomplish anything together! I Love your family! Happy anniversary and many more!
This is a truly lovely post. Happy Anniversary to you guys. You make one heck of a team.
Lisa´s last [type] ..5 Months
What a sweet post! You were meant to be. Happy anniversary!!!
Candice´s last [type] ..Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
Wow Mike, you made a lot of ladies cry today (myself included)! LOL
This was such a beautiful, touching tribute to your wife. Your marriage is so beautiful and anyone who is lucky enough to find that kind of love is truly blessed.
Happy Anniversary!
The love and genuine gratitude that you both show each other is so wonderful.
Happy Anniversary!
Holy crap. Thanks for making me cry first thing in the morning. That was beautiful.
Oh Mike!
wow….you made me cry….how beautiful
Making women cry at work all day long…good job!
Darcie´s last [type] ..Yogurt: Loren’s Arch Nemesis
Happy Anniversary!!!! Mike, this post totally made me tear up a bit. Great job, man!
Happy Anniversary!!! Great post, Heather. You feel about your Mike the way I feel about mine, only you said it without gushing too much.
:)
This is such a wonderful post!! What a wonderful husband you are. You are both lucky to have each other.
Darn it. I’m sobbing again! Such sweet words from an amazing man to his even more amazing wife.
Staci´s last [type] ..wordless wednesday
What a beautiful post, and happy anniversary to the both of you. What you say here really resonates with me. My husband and I were in an LDR for 3.5 years before we got married (England-France) and like you we just never imagined we wouldn’t make it because we were just that great together. That was back in 2004 and here we are today, married for nearly 8 months and living together since 2008. Funny how things work out! Have a great day
Bianca S´s last [type] ..Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Shower Gel
SWEETEST POST!!! Your and Heather’s posts are great! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! I have so enjoyed “getting to know” you guys over the last year or so!
Mike, you put my husbands store bought Hallmark Cards to shame….That was beautifully written..Here’s wishing you both many, many, many more wonderful Anniversaries…
I wish I hadn’t read this at work as I wipe the tears running down my cheeks…Happy Anniversary to you, Mike & Heather! Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Holy Crap! I’m sitting here sobbing at my desk at work. Such a beautiful love letter! I sure love my guy, but he don’t write me letters like that! You are both so lucky to have each other! Happy Anniversary.
Mercy! What a fine man you are, Mike! Heather, clearly, has impeccable taste! …now after I wipe the tears from my eyes…I’m going to comment on her lovely post.
You are so blessed to have each other. Through good times and bad, sickness and health, so many people don’t really mean those vows when they say them. Happy Anniversary and wishing you many many more years of happiness!
Brought me to tears too. Best wishes to you both from a fellow Angeleno!
Such an incredibly thoughtful, sweet post — happy anniversary to you both!
Meg´s last [type] ..Book review: ‘Downward Dog, Upward Fog’ by Meryl Davids Landau
Sobbing that is absolutely beautiful!! And the love you two have for each other is so amazing. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Kristin (MamaKK922)´s last [type] ..I Feel Like I’m Taking CRAZY Pills…..
That was just the sweetest post. That was beautiful. Brought a tear to my eye! Happy Anniversary!!!
This is so sweet! xoxo to you both!
Happy Anniversary Mike & Heather…
The love written in these words from Mike is an example of true love…. of strength…commitment and team players in a marriage working together.
Wishing the two of you many, many more years of love, health and happiness!!!
Beautifully said… beautiful post… “Next year will bring better days, if only because we have each other.”
This is such a sweet post. You were meant to be together, and I’m so happy for you both. Happy Anniversary!
Elizabeth´s last [type] ..Sunday on Grouse
Beautiful!!!
Absolutely LOVELY. Many more happy years for the both of you!
This is absolutely perfect! Made me a little choked up.
Amber´s last [type] ..1 + 1 = furrrrrever
Oh, Mike, what a wonderful tribute to Heather. You brought tears to my eyes. She is so lucky to have you!
Darn it!!! Crying!
The last line brought down the tears. Beautiful post thanks for sharing!
mccgood´s last [type] ..Friday Fragments
Beautifully written. I hope that the coming year will only bring days of joy and happiness. But whatever comes, I am sure that what you have been through together has strengthened you and you will face the future together.
You have an amazing family! Happy Anniversary!
This is so beautiful! Happy Anniversary to you both!
that was beautiful, mike – it made me cry. i wish you all the best in 2012.
Such a lovely post. Happy Anniversary, and I wish you nothing but love and happiness for years to come.
Happy Anniversary to you and Heather!
Lauren´s last [type] ..Holiday Nitty Gritty!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY – I dont know you two but seem like such a wonderful amazing couple who has been through so much. I love reading your post (your wonderful writers)! Enjoy your Anniv.
That was SO beautiful, I actually cried a little…and I never cry! You are an awesome guy, and you and Heather are an amazing couple! Happy Anniversary
Happy Anniversary Heather and Mike! You two are just beautiful together!
Beautiful!
OMG I am in tears at work!! Beautiful!!! What a wonderful blog and a wonderful thing for you to do as her husband! Many blessings to you all!! Everlasting love does live!!!
Not many men can articulate the love the have for their girls the way you can Mike. Well said. Totally had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes as I ready through this.
Happy Anniversary to you both!
Wow, that letter brought both tears & chuckles. What a great idea to celebrate your anniversary!
Happy Anniversary to you both. I had so many other things I wanted to say, but instead will say its just a great post. I have a great love too, and love does get you through even when you aren’t sure. Cheers to the both of you!
Happy anniversary! What a sweet and awesome post. God bless your family!
wow…WHAT a tribute. yeah, that’s really all i can say…..
Good God…that was just beautiful! Happy Anniversary to you both and best wishes for 2012 and all your years ahead!
~Liz
I was arguing with my boyfriend today, then read your post, and I realized he is like you in a way. He remembers the special things. Our first date, my favorite pizza toppings, how special my grandma was to me (even though he never met her).
I hope to have a marriage (one day) as special and unique as yours and Heather’s, that remains strong through the years.
Happy Anniversary and many many more to come.
So sweet! Love this! Happy Anniversary to you both! XOXO
AmazingGreis´s last [type] ..Today, She’s ONE…
Mike,
What a lovely recap. I’m crying at Starbucks and so thankful that you and Heather have each other. Through good and bad, you have been an example to many without wanting or trying to be at all. You just are. Happy Anniversary, wishing you much love! And days filled with more joy and more counted blessings.
Jenny´s last [type] ..It’s the most wonderful time of the year
Wow – I must have missed this post. Mike, you amaze me. Lovely writing.
A (cold) friend in Minesota!
AWWWW! <3 what did Heather say when she saw it???