Today, April 4, marks the second year that I have been married to the very best guy on the entire planet — my gracious, romantic, hunky, and adorable spouse! Thanks once again to our home state of Maryland for being the first state to permit same-sex marriage by popular vote!

I also say “+22” in the title of this post because come April 25, we will have been together for 22 years. I cannot say that we would have married on the day we met; however, I knew even back then that “he was the guy.”

So how will we celebrate our second year “cotton” anniversary?

First, we will begin with a warm and long snuggle as the sun rises. While I enjoy my early morning walks with my senior walking partner, today I will not be doing that — instead, I will nestle next to my man and watch the golden rays of sun make the trees in the forest behind our house glow brilliantly.

We will lay nestled in each other’s arms and simply talk — or not — and just enjoy each other’s peace and comfort.

Whenever we do rise, I will prepare fresh home-made gluten-free waffle for my beloved husband — his favorite. I also got him some special gluten-free cereal while I was in Hawaii. I think he will like it.

Then we will spend the day together doing whatever needs to be done. There are some “outside chores” and post-winter cleanup tasks that my spouse wants me to do. Then we may watch a movie (at home) or otherwise not do much of anything but spend time together.

I have purchased some really good steaks from a specialty butcher which I intend to grill for our dinner, complimenting the beef with home-made sides of my spouse’s favorites of green beans and mashed potatoes. I’ll even make a gluten-free cake for dessert.

We aren’t going out, no dining or dancing, no visiting friends… just “us.” Can’t think of anything that I would rather do but spend the day with my husband, the love of my life.

Life is short: celebrate!