The Cool Chris

It's my husband's birthday today. He's 42, and yes, I'm older.

When we began dating, Chris was a quasi bad-boy with a solid center of goodness. He had that cool swagger without any sleaze. I was a dork. Chris loved me anyway.

[Dating - 1989]

He used to call me when I was working as a receptionist at a title company and say, "Hello, gorgeous," when he heard my voice. I melted. One time he said, "How's tricks?" I immediately felt jealous. "Who's Trix?" I asked. He laughed and explained it was just an expression. How are things? I don't know a girl named Trix.

His cool quotient has always been coupled with a calmness that both soothes and irritates me at times. He is not shy, but he is humble and the saying "still waters run deep" couldn't be more true when it comes to Chris.

[Disneyland - 1994-ish]

He's a good man; a good person. I can't say that about too many people in my life. Today I celebrate Chris. The cool Chris.

[Arizona - 2009]

Happy Birthday, Studbuns. [He blushes when I call him that.]