27 for the 27th

I know I've been quiet around these parts lately. In addition to pure, inexcusable laziness, I blame 1) Project: Frantically Reorganize and Redecorate the Apartment before the School Year Starts and Time Evaporates and 2) my Greek exam, which I am, much to my horror, taking tomorrow.

But behold! I am emerging from the depths of paint and cleaning supplies and Greek vocab flashcards to share something fun and exciting and magical with you (emphasis on the magical, obviously): it's Preston's birthday! Everyone cheer!

We'll have a little celebration tonight, but since I can't be with Preston today during the day (the Library of No Fun is holding me hostage), I thought I'd celebrate him over the internet. Because, you know, that's the same. Ahem. At any rate, in honor of Preston's twenty-seventh, here are twenty-seven of my favorite bits of miscellany about the Man of the Day.

1. When he's getting dressed for school, he always asks me which tie would look better with his shirt.

2. When he knows I'm exhausted, or just need twenty minutes alone, he'll offer to walk the dogs, even if it's really my turn.

3. He says he doesn't mind taking the extra walk because it's an excuse to listen to P.G. Wodehouse audiobooks on his iPod.

4. He calls the dogs "The Shnuffles."

5. He is always up for an eightieth viewing of one of my favorite How I Met Your Mother episodes ("Okay Awesome," "Slapsgiving," and "Arrivederci Fiero" are some of the standards).

6. He is the calmest person I know, and since I am The Opposite of Calm, this is a huge blessing.

7. He has moved for me twice: first to Charlottesville, and then to Bryn Mawr.

8. During the worst of my anorexia, in the fall of 2004, Preston came to visit me at Middlebury in an attempt to cheer me up. He stayed the weekend, but had to leave early in the morning to drive back to Princeton. We said goodbye in the dark and he left; when I finally got up, I discovered little blue post-it notes all over my room, filled with messages for me. One of them said, "I want to grow old with you." I still have it.

9. Sometimes when he's really excited, he dances.

10. He makes truly delicious mozzarella spaghetti, and he always makes extra sauce for me, as he knows I take a little spaghetti with my sauce.

11. He refills all of the ice cube trays.

12. He is a much nicer driver than I am (Pennsylvania has made me into a honker, I'm afraid).

13. When he was in college, he spent a summer working as a janitor, and it brought out a fastidiousness in him that I, as a total neat freak, love. For example, dust on top of ceiling fans drives him CRAZY.

14. When the Dodgers win a game, or even just score a run, I always hear a "YESSSSS!" from the other room.

15. He is kind, thoughtful, and incredibly generous.

16. He loves teaching and coaching. For his birthday, he asked for instructional DVDs on how to coach softball pitchers. Totally not kidding.

17. He loves to read, and when we moved in together, my collection of books became about fifteen times more awesome. [This is, of course, the real reason I married him; but shhh...don't tell.]

18. He tells stories and gives explanations in great detail, so when I'm in a rush or just want a simple answer, I have to let him know. But if I have time and patience to hear the complete story or explanation, it's impossible not to learn something new. Plus, he's really cute when he's telling me his Long, Detailed Story.

19. He has a very mathematical brain, and is incredibly logical; all problems have a solution, and he is going to find it. WITHOUT asking for help.

20. He tells me he loves me every day, and I believe him.

21. Before he has the last of anything, be it a brownie, beer, or Diet Coke (WOW look how healthy we are!), he always asks me if I'd like it.

22. He assembles everything we get from IKEA because he knows I cannot understand the Swedes' instructions.

23. He gave me the (much) bigger closet.

24. He practiced our wedding vows before the ceremony.

25. He looks really good in seersucker. I realize that it's basically impossible NOT to look good in seersucker, but Preston...he looks really good. And yes, I am biased.

26. He makes all of our travel plans, fixes both of our computers, hangs all of the pictures, and does all of the vacuuming. And when I designate certain days as "We must clean the apartment NOW" days, he allows me to be in control, and simply asks, "What can I do?"

27. He always waits to let me take a picture (or eight...hundred).

Happy birthday, Pres! These are just twenty-seven of my favorite details about you - there are bajillions more (approximately), and I know that over the years, this list will grow, and grow, and grow. To sum it up: I love you, and am oh so glad that you were born. Here's to a magnificent year.