It's the Mr.'s birthday today! And, as most of you know, I post photos I've taken of him over the year as he gazes out at the world (a thing I've done since we first started dating a lifetime ago.) This year has brought some surprises to our lives and he has been solidly there for all of it. We're opposites in all the ways that are good and totally alike in the ones that matter. While I'm hiding in the back hoping no one annoying talks to me, he's on stage leading the discussion. While I'm cautiously judging whether or not you are a weirdo, he's extending his hand and introducing himself. He's the first one on the dance floor and always game for a costume-themed celebration. He's made me laugh every day that I've known him. Happiest of birthdays, honey! You make this journey around the sun a grand and joyous adventure!

Hatch House, Cape Cod Modern House Trust, Wellfleet, MA

Polar Bear Plunge, Provincetown, MA

cocktails on the porch of the Blackfish pop-up at Local 186, Provincetown, MA

between Cahoon Hollow and Lecounts Hollow beaches, Wellfleet, MA

Harbor Hill, Provincetown, MA

Kugel/Gips House, Cape Cod Modern House Trust, Wellfleet, MA

Wellfleet, MA

enjoying one of the first days of the season at the Aqua Bar, Provincetown, MA

enroute to Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica

in his natural habitat, Montego Bay, Jamaica

grilling of cheeses, Provincetown, MA

Fourth of July weekend at the Provincetown Inn pool

Hatch House, Cape Cod Modern House Tour, Wellfleet, MA

checking out our freshly planted salsa garden, Provincetown, MA

kettle pond, Wellfleet, MA

Weidlinger Hoouse, Cape Cod Modern House Trust, Wellfleet, MA

admiring El Galeon, docking in Provincetown Harbor

Provincetown Carnival Parade

pontooning in the Provincetown Harbor

waiting for the Swim for Life to start, Provincetown, MA

on the deck of the Red Inn, Provincetown, MA

dropping him off at the Provincetown airport, which we affectionately call "Wings"

Today is the Mr.'s birthday! As is our tradition, I share photos I've taken of him (from behind) over the course of the year. What these photos don't show is all he's done for our family and me this very, very difficult year. You'll see him at the stove and at the grill but you won't see just how much time he spent making nourishing broths and meals for my mom when she was having chemo treatments. You'll see him standing on many a beach but you won't see how much of his free time was spent doing stuff around the house this year when my chronic pain kept me from helping. He's one in a million! Love you, honey! Here's to a better year ahead!

putting the lights on the tree, Provincetown, MA

Christmas meal prepping, Provincetown, MA

more meal prepping (with special attention from Stephen and Tipper), Provincetown, MA

grilling the tenderloin for Christmas dinner on an oddly warm December day, Provincetown, MA

walking around Clapp's Pond with Stephen, Provincetown, MA

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

first grilling of the spring, Provincetown, MA

lobster roll ordering, John's Footlong, Provincetown, MA

Harbor Lounge, Provincetown, MA

grilling in his cute lobster shorts, Provincetown, MA

walking Stephen at Herring Cove, Provincetown, MA

happy hour cocktailing on the deck at the Red Inn, Provincetown, MA

sailing on the Hindu, Cape Cod Bay, MA

bonfiring at Herring Cove, Provincetown, MA

waiting for the swimmers to arrive at the Swim for Life, Provincetown, MA

pirating Halloween weekend, pre-Spooky Tea, Provincetown, MA

It's one of my favorite days of the year: the Mr.'s birthday!! The past twelve months have taken us on a journey we never expected -- relocating to Provincetown, several warm weather trips during the worst winter ever, and some life surprises that have made us stronger, more resilient, and somehow better. Happy birthday, honey! Can't wait to see what adventures are in store for us next year! And with that, my annual ode to my favorite person on the planet (I've been thinking about subtitling this series: "I Got Your 6." What do you think?) ...

Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Angel Foods, Provincetown, MA (just after we moved)

from our balcony in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Driving the speedboat in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

opening party at Harbor Lounge, Provincetown, MA

in the middle of Commercial Street during the off season, Provincetown, MA

first grilling on our deck, Provincetown, MA

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

observing some Mayan ruins in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

cooking in the kitchen with Stephen, Provincetown, MA

Herring Cove Beach (with Race Point Light in the distance), Provincetown, MA

Herring Cove Beach, Provincetown, MA

Provincetown, MA

waiting for the swimmers to arrive at the Swim for Life, Provincetown, MA

Harbor Lounge, Provincetown, MA

And one more non-traditional, slightly blurry photo of us on the DANCE FLOOR, in COSTUME (the Mr. stole Stephen's shark fin costume and tied it around his head), at his very first TEA DANCE at the Boatslip, Provincetown, MA. We were surrounded by mostly gay men in non-existent clothing. And this, my friends, is why he's the best partner in crime out there. Happiest of happy birthdays, honey!

(originally published on November 22, 2014)

So you know how, on the Mr.'s birthday, I post photos I've taken of him over the course of the year from a specific angle? Well, it's that time of year again! I have to admit I have been delinquent in capturing these moments (I blame that furry little Stephen who seems to be in every photo I take these days.) Happy Birthday, honey! Here's to another year of adventure!

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Nantasket Beach, Hull, MA

Boston, MA (last look before we moved out)

Negril, Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica

Hingham Bathing Beach, Hingham, MA

Hewitt's Cove, Hingham, MA (with Boston in the background)

Hingham Shipyard, Hingham, MA

Boston, MA

Herring Cove Beach, Provincetown, MA

Home

Provincetown, MA

Provincetown, MA

Nantasket Beach, Hull, MA

(originally published on November 19, 2013)

Even though the Mr. doesn't celebrate his birthday until later this week, I'm posting his annual birthday post now since we'll be out of town. I am grateful to be able to share so many wonderful adventures with him -- we've had a fun year! Happiest of happy birthdays to you, honey! Can't wait to see what the next year will bring!

Cable Beach, Nassau, Bahamas

Couples Negril, Negril, Jamaica

Xtabi, Negril, Jamaica

Riding shotgun on the One Love Bus Bar Crawl, Negril, Jamaica

Gray's Papaya, NYC

Magnolia Bakery, NYC

High Line, NYC

The Old Mill, Westminster, MA

Provincetown, MA

Grilling in Provincetown, MA

Watching for whales in Provincetown, MA

Rochester, NY

Genesee Brewery, Rochester, NY

PGA Championship, Rochester, NY

Canandaigua Lake, NY

Canandaigua Lake, NY

Hull, MA

Marina Bay, Quincy, MA

Salem, MA

Canstruction, Boston, MA

R Lounge, Times Square, NYC

New York Public Library, NYC

Shake Shack, NYC

Chrysler Building, NYC

Grand Central Terminal, NYC

Marylou's, Hull, MA

(originally pubished on November 22, 2012)

Today is the Mr.'s 40th birthday. And he gets to share his special day with a little thing I like to call "Thanksgiving." Do not worry about him. We have a cool birthday trip planned for next week that involves a Caribbean beach and daiquiris!

As I did last year, I'm sharing a few shots I've taken of him looking out at the world. From the back, as usual.

Watching the ice skaters on Frog Pond, Boston, MA

Prepping for our New Year's Day plunge, Gloucester, MA

La Concha, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Passing rain shower, Negril, Jamaica

In the Beer Tub at Rick's Cafe, Negril, Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica

George Eastman House, Rochester, NY

George's Island, Boston, MA

Boston Harbor, Boston, MA (He's not saluting. Just shading his eyes.)

Wellfleet Harbor, Wellfleet, MA

Grilling, Provincetown, MA

Provincetown Harbor, Provincetown, MA

Sunrise, Head of the Meadow Beach, Truro, MA

Cranberry Harvest Celebration, Wareham, MA

Happy Birthday, honey! So glad you're old like me now!

(originally published on November 22, 2011)

Today is the Mr.'s birthday. For years I've been taking photos of him gazing out at the world (usually followed by an irritated look thrown my way.) Below is my collection, which I think is pretty fun. Happy Birthday, Mr.!

From the Victor Emmanuel Monument overlooking Rome, Italy

From Castel Sant'Angelo looking over the Ponte Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy

Walking down the steps of the Vatican Museum, Rome, Italy

Driving the lobster boat, Provincetown, MA

San Juan, Puerto Rico

La Concha, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Swan Boats, Boston, MA

Watching the Volvo Ocean Race outside the ICA, Boston, MA

The Mr., his brother, and his mom ... the window in our apartment. Apparently it runs in the family.

Club Med, Cancun, Mexico

Southie, Boston

Negril, Jamaica

Negril, Jamaica (note the exact same pose in Puerto Rico.)

Provincetown, MA

Boston, MA