Thirty-Six

As anyone who has recently spoken to Kyle knows, it is his "birthday week." That's right. No longer is one day sufficient to celebrate the wonderfulness that is the Kyle. His official birthday was marked yesterday by a family celebration. This weekend we will go to one of his favorite restaurants - a Japanese steakhouse. And the rest of the week will be punctuated with reminders that it is his "birthday week." For example: "take the trash out? but it's my birthday week." Or, "can you get home early so I can hit golf balls - remember, it's my birthday week." You get the drift.

In actuality, Kyle does like to reference his birthday week, but he has been a true champ lately. I managed to be sick for the past four days, so he has managed me, the children, and the house without complaint and without relief. I seem to have won some sort of husband lottery.

Now entering his 37th year on this Earth, let's take a little snapshot of the Kyle:

Favorite Things: Tennessee football, Tennessee basketball, skiing, golf (other than skiing, the other three have been on the list for 36 years).

Least Favorite Things: Spiders (by a landslide), snakes, Vanderbilt sports, uncoordinated clothes.

Favorite Destination: Vail, Colorado.

Favorite Movie: [insert lame title] starring [Chuck Norris or Steven Segal].

As we celebrate the end of Kyle's thirty-sixth year, we mourn the passing of his left big toenail. Casualty of an overexuberance for skiing and a misfitted ski boot. We put all our skills to use in trying to save the toenail - (1) using a band-aid to hold it in place and (2) Scotlen's request to give it healing kisses. To no avail. Kyle had so many great memories with that toenail. It was there in 1998 at the National Championship game. It was there in Scotland when we were married. It was there in the hospital when our children were born. We look forward to new memories, however, with what we hope and pray will eventually be a new toenail. Because, frankly, the toe is looking a little naked without one.

Happy 36th Kyle - you are loved.