Well, it's official--I am 24 years old.

Nate gave me my present early---I was born around noon I think, but Nate gave me my present at midnight. Tickets to Stevie Nicks's sold out Arizona Heart Benefit show doing her sold out Gold Dust tour with Don Henley of the Eagles. I guess he paid a pretty penny for them on ebay. But that wasn't the best part.

He didn't get me a card, and I made him wrap the present before giving it to me. But he did use some printer paper and a Sharpie marker to write me the most romantic love letter I've received in my whole 24 years.

All day yesterday I watched the Love Stories channel and was all depressed that I wasn't beautiful enough--that I was too fat--to be passionately loved. Stupid me.

"Dear Mandi,

Over the past many years, things haven't been easy, I know that. But one thing hasn't changed--you're still the person that makes me smile when I feel down and the person who I can laugh with and feel happy with when all else seems balck and hopeless. I have alwasy and will always love you, in a way that continues to surprise and delight me. I only hope that I can begin to return the favor. This is a present that wasn't easy to come by and one that I had to plan for carefully but it's just a sidetraction until I can give you the present I wanted to. In time, you'll know why. :) I hope this makes you smile and know how worth it all you really are.

Much love and Adoration,

Nate"

He probably didn't want me to share that with the whole world. But I love him. Very much. And I may never be a super model, I may never lose the 40 pounds I need to lose, I will always look at my wedding pictures with sadness because I think I was too fat and not pretty enough a bride--

But you know what?

The best birthday present in the world sleeps less than a foot from my left.

How he puts up with me I will never know.