Happy 35th

I've now known Eric for a year and a half.  That's it. 

I think they say it takes much more than that to really know someone.

So in some ways, I feel somewhat unqualified to pay tribute to Eric since I've known him for only about 1/34ths of his life.

I am sure there are many others, perhaps one in particular, who could be a more credible source on the topic of Eric James Klein.

That said, I love birthdays, and Eric just had his 35th one. I think birthdays are a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to people you love.  And I adore Eric.  So here is my tribute:

Since we have known each other for such a short time, it may be easy to wonder what has attracted me to him and why I have felt so closely tied to him.

Underneath his perhaps sarcastic and straight-edged exterior is a soulful person who truly cares for those around him.  Even though sometimes I admittedly get irritated at his sarcasm, it is that humor and sarcasm that really attracted me to him.  He's clever and witty, and thereby, he helps ease tensions and focus on the humorous irony of life.  And then when you can uncover that clever sarcasm, it's easy to see that Eric really cares for those around him.  I can see that when I watch him with the girls.  I can see that as I watch him help my parents.  I can also see that in the way he treats me.  Ultimately, he avoids hurtful judgments and he just wants to love and be loved.  I appreciate that so very, very much.

Eric has a great ability to empathize and not judge people.  He has an ability to reach out to those around him with that quiet demeanor of understanding.  If at times, he gets frustrated with others or just at life in general, it doesn't take long for him to come back to center and display that abiding and quiet understanding that lives inside him.  I watch this happen all the time.  It happens in his interactions with his daughters, to be sure.  But I especially notice it in his interactions with me as his wife.  Anyone who's married knows it takes a measure of patience and understanding to get along with a spouse.  I appreciate that even in his times of doubting me, he has a heart of understanding that tends to ease those tensions create mutual faith in each other.

I have to say that one of the qualities I love the absolute most about him would be his total lack of pretentiousness.  Seriously.  Consider the definition of the word "pretentious":  It means to "attempt to impress by affecting greater importance, talent, culture, etc., than is actually possessed."  As I have gotten older and experienced more of this wonderful, yet horrible world, there is one thing I may not hate much more than that terrible attitude of pretentiousness.  How I despise being around people who spend enormous amounts of time and energy trying to constantly prove or show or "one-up" in this sometimes endless life of competition.  Sometimes his lack of such ambitions in life make me laugh.  Eric is legitimate and down-to-earth, and I appreciate that.  If he has an ambition or motivation, it isn't so he can prove anything.  It's just to be himself.  That is what I strive for in my own self, and I love seeing that in my mate.

Such lack of pretentiousness also makes him less of a social butterfly. I am more naturally an introvert, so I relate to him and take solace in our shared personalities.  At times when I feel a bit more extroverted, he's usually a pretty good sport about following suit.

I think it's obvious that Eric and I were initially attracted to each other because we shared some common experiences with our widowhoods.  While that is just one commonality, it is a big one.  Having our similar stories has created a welcome bond between us.  It goes without saying that the experiences we've had in losing our spouses have changed us forever.  And there are not a lot of people out there that can understand what that change means for your heart and mind and soul.  I love that Eric's heart and mind and soul are so closely connected to mine in that regard. 
 

At this point, I think I've uncovered many of Eric's desirable qualities, but there is one wonderful quality he possesses that I cannot neglect to mention. He has a great bod. And I love that he has gotten himself in habits that nurture that great asset of his. It shows a lot about his killer self-discipline and unspoken dedication that now shows through in his physique. It has taken dedication, I know, and that is something he has. He is dedicated and reliable.

So until next year, Eric, read this as proof that I love you! --For the reasons listed here, and much, much more. Thank you for all your wonderful traits that make you out to be one of my very best friends. Here's to another year, Darlin'.

One of his birthday presents was a shadow box of his marathon memorabalia.

Here he is at his SURPRISE party at Boondocks in Draper.  Yeah, I surprised him.  Not sure I'll do that again since he didn't seem to love it (unsurprisingly, I suppose), but I can say confidently that he did like playing at Boondocks with his brothers....Totally his thing.  I'm glad I had the party, simply for the reasons that he was reminded of all those who love him and he had a chance to be doted over for an evening.

At his party with my family at our house.

The birthday boy at Boondocks.

Zimmerman kids!  So cute.