Like a good Port, she has aged well. Okay, so maybe that isn't the most flattering opening, but it is true. Many of you may know that Rachel and I first met when my family moved in two doors down from hers in 1983. We lived on Glen Echo Drive for several years before my family moved to Texas and then Illinois. We moved around the country and finally ended up back in the Columbus area. One thing led to another over the years, culminating with Rachel and my marriage in December, 2000.

Knowing her now for almost three decades, I have had the opportunity to watch her grow and change. At first, I didn't pay too much attention as she was two years younger than me and girls had cooties. Over the years, my interests obviously, ahem, sharpened. Now I find her enthralling, intelligent, willfully independent, stubborn and in general a wonderful person with whom to share my life. We have shared five houses now together, kept four dogs, several fish, four chickens and also one child. Life and our relationship has not always been smooth sailing, but it could never have been described as boring.

As you can tell, I have found Rachel to be a wonderful companion who has helped me to grow and mature over the last decade in many ways. I can't imagine life without her, and am pleased to welcome her to her third decade.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!