Today is our fourth anniversary, and in light of that fact, I decided to forgo the usual cynicism in favor of a salute to marriage. Obviously, there are things I could say about marriage that would fit the 'angry, rant-filled girl' bill, but, for today, you're getting this.

1. No more dating. This doesn't mean a cessation of any and all dates, of course husbands and wives are allowed the occasional night out. What I mean is the end of the nervous, nose-and-teeth-checking, who's going to pay, is a kiss the right/wrong thing at this juncture, will he/won't he [call, remember our date, show up in an acceptable car or choice of clothing] mental list.

2. I'm understood. Finally. Even though Danny considers me the 'queen of the non sequitur', he rarely asks the dreaded question: "What on earth are you talking about?" He doesn't care that I have to reference every song I hear with its:
   a. original artist
   b. significance in my life
   c. lead singer's side-project(s);
in fact, I'd like to think that he actually enjoys my banter. (At least he's good at pretending.)

3. A new, better me. As cliché as this sounds, being married is hard work. And even if I only succeed at listening, giving the benefit of the doubt and being nice 50% of the time, it's a great improvement. (Seriously, for those of you who remember what I was like before Danny, you know what I am talking about. Now please forget it.)

4. An increased interest in all things geek. I have always been a nerd at heart, but never at anything that was useful. Now I have mastered the fine art of TiVo, am somewhat proficient at blogging and am reading Free Culture by Lawrence Lessig (and actually enjoying it) all in the past few months. I have Danny to thank for that.

5. An end to low self-esteem (at least in the looks department). I know that Danny is interested in me as a person, and not just in how I look, but he always makes me feel like I am pretty anyway (except, of course when I am covered in child-vomit--then we revert to survival mode and communicate in a series of grunts). He never makes those 'fat-jokes' many husbands are want to make and he is, in general, a very supportive person.

Happy Anniversary, Danny. I love you and look forward to adding to this list many times over.