Today I celebrate a very special lady.

Today I celebrate the love of my life: Nita.

I first met Nita at a college party. All throughout dating her I was blown away by her kindness. My brother Carson and I always spoke of how we would like to marry a girl whose "kindness bangs a gong." That was a line from one of our favorite songs. 

I can say today that Nita fits that description. She embodies all that is good in this world. One of my favorite jokes to tell is that Nita is perfect in every way, except her spelling. And the reason for that is, if she was able to spell well, then she would be translated, for she would have nothing left to work on. 

Through Tommy's birth, life and death, through Julie and Lewis' births and lives, through my own

foolhardiness....

through it all she remains a smiling beacon of friendliness and hope. 

As a sufferer of depression, having her by my side in this battle is second only to the Atonement on the list of things that have helped me the most. 

I am constantly amazed at what my children know, how they behave, and the respect they show. All this from the daily routines, cares, and lessons she gives them in her full-time job as their caregiver. 

Nita has shown immense fortitude and faith in the 4 pregnancies she has experienced. With each one she is stricken with what is called Hyperemesis Gravidarium. This confines her to bed for 3-4 months, drains her body of all strength, and usually required hospitalization so she can receive nutrients directly to her heart. The last pregnancy almost took out her kidneys. Yet despite all this she loves her kids, endures the pain, and sacrifices herself during that time so they can come to this world.

If anyone knows me you will know the wreck I was in my earlier years. Rebellious, disrespectful, hurtful, unfaithful...

Nita has been a powerful example during these 6 years of marriage. And through this example she has inspired me to be a better person. 

She has been beside me for many an adventure. She has been with be for campouts, family outings, walks, talks, movies, games, drives, new CDs, sunsets, sunrises, birth, life, death, love, depression, and laughs. 

And I don't even need to mention how sexy she is ;)

Nita, thank you for everything. Happy 27th birthday. I love you so much!