my better half?

People always refer to their spouses as their better half.
Or maybe that's just men referring to their wives. 


Either way, I wouldn't say that Nate is my better half.
  
He does balance out my impatience, drama, loudness, emotions, selfishness, and/or any other overwhelming traits I may have.


I bring this up because today is Nate's birthday. He is 31.  It so does not feel like it's been one year since we did this.


I love Nate more than words can say.  But he is not my better half.  My half is nice,depending on the day, and far from perfect.  So is his.  


I am grateful to all the factors that went into making up his half. 
His family.  His life experiences, good and bad.  His successes, and failures.  His mistakes.  
All these things contributed to making Nate a pretty good half. 

And, together, we make a dang good whole. 


Happy Birthday Nate.  I'm freaked out that we are 9 years away from 40.  Is this how it's going to be from now on? Counting our youth away.
Congrats on the grey hairs and wrinkles. 
You've earned them.  


I fear had I not come along you may still be snowboarding all day, and painting bricks in your basement apartment. 
And reading math books for fun. 
Who does that?


But those aren't such bad things.  Turns out it worked on me.