Verklempt.
Posted by rams at November 1, 2004 11:14 AMA rare and special man. You and the girls are all lucky to have him in your lives. A truly speicial 'godless union'.
Posted by alison at November 1, 2004 11:16 AMThis is so sweet. Can't wait to see what you give him, it must be pretty special.
Posted by Vicki at November 1, 2004 11:22 AMDamn, now I'M in love with him! Wanna trade? Mine occasionaly cleans the litter box and one time he fixed the microwave with a rubber band.
Posted by Debbie at November 1, 2004 11:23 AMWow. What a good guy. I was going to ask if he cooks too, but that would just be too much. Have a great birthday, Joe.
Posted by Sonya at November 1, 2004 11:36 AMSince I came out of the closet 6 years ago, no man has remotely peaked my interest.
However, should you pass this world before Joe...I would seriously consider putting in an application for future spouse.
What a good spirit Joe is...and really, you seem perfectly matched.
;-D
Posted by Lisa in Oregon at November 1, 2004 11:38 AMSounds like you picked a winner (and so did he!)Happy Birthday, Joe...
Posted by Bethany at November 1, 2004 11:41 AMNo way! my hubby's b-day is today too! whoa...I've been reading you for awhile and love your blog. I just had to de-lurk to express my surprise! happy b-day to your joe!
Posted by Monica at November 1, 2004 11:49 AMHope he was able go on working after reading this instead to instandly drive home an give you a big hug. Or wiping tears out of his eys. (Ok Men dont cry, never ;)
very sweet words for a must be really happy marriage. wish him a happy birthday and may your love be strong like these words.
Wow. It is so good to see a couple , love and honor each other.
Posted by Moose at November 1, 2004 11:54 AMThanks for bringing a tear to my eye, happy birthday dude.
Posted by Amy at November 1, 2004 11:56 AMHappy Birthday Joe. (Joe, you might want to keep a copy of this to show to Steph the next time she goes away and comes back to find questionable objects in the recycling and rearranged cabinets!) And is it just me, or does Joe resemble a unicorn in the photo? A man of truly mythical goodness!
Posted by Tish at November 1, 2004 11:58 AMWow, Steph, that's beautiful. And probably one of the best presents you could ever have given Joe. Happy Birthday to Joe, and many years of continued happiness to you both.
Posted by Annie at November 1, 2004 12:02 PMAll that and cute too.
Posted by claudia at November 1, 2004 12:09 PMawwwww..... sigh. gives me hope that there are some good guys out there!
thanks for sharing that! and happy birthay joe!
Posted by Katie at November 1, 2004 12:12 PM*sniff* My hubby just celebrated his birthday the 28th. No knitted gift *hang my head in shame* but he did get new tires...THE tires if you ask him. He surprised me with the new Cake cd as well, just 'cuz. (he doesn't even like them, but knows if it's CAKE, I HAVE to have it.) Happy Birthday, Joe.
Posted by erin at November 1, 2004 12:13 PMHappy Birthday, Joe!
What a lovely list of reasons to celebrate. :) I need to go give someone a hug.
Posted by Elisa at November 1, 2004 12:13 PMI'm all chocked up.
Happy birthday Joe.
Happy happiness Stephanie.
Happy birthday, Joe.
Posted by kim at November 1, 2004 12:23 PMO.o They Do Exist! Happy Birthday Joe!
I'd be tempted to show this to my boyfriend if I didn't have to come up with a list even as half as good.
Posted by freecia at November 1, 2004 12:28 PMHappy, happy birthday, Joe. You're lucky to have each other. Celebrate tonight with cake and Cake. And maybe some bubbly.
Posted by Norma at November 1, 2004 12:28 PMAnd ice cream. ;^>
Posted by rams at November 1, 2004 12:30 PMWaaah! I want one like that. Oh, yeah, I do have one sort of like that. But still, that is so cool. I am sniffling. Happy birthday, Joe!
Posted by Ellen in Conn at November 1, 2004 12:34 PMGood men hard hard to come by I know I have one also. Happy birthday Joe!
Posted by Nancy at November 1, 2004 12:45 PMHappy b'day, Joe. Didn't know there were any guys like that out there! How reassuring! Does he have a brother?
Posted by karen at November 1, 2004 12:55 PMDitto what Nancy said. There are so few left of the breed, I'm glad you got one, too.
Happy Birthday, Joe! What's it like to know that women all over the world adore you just because Stephanie does (and if that wasn't enough, the going in to yarn shops without complaint would've won us over as well...)
Posted by Amie at November 1, 2004 12:57 PMYours is the first blog I read in the morning (good thing I'm in PST). This was precious, and reminds me what I'm looking for. Happy B-day to him!
Posted by Kim at November 1, 2004 12:57 PMHappy birthday Joe.
What a wonderful nod to a super man. Steph- you lucky thing... You sound like a great pair. Thanks for sharing!
Do all these good men y'all are mentioning have brothers? Cousins? Are they interested in a red-headed amazon whose hair is even bigger than the harlots?
Joe rocks. Besides the small coffee cup coup, he is a keeper.
And by the way, clean underwear IS a special gift!
Posted by Laurie at November 1, 2004 12:58 PMYou are truly a lucky woman and also smart enough to realize that fact. I wish your Joe a happy birthday - he sounds like a truly exceptional man - this comes from a woman similarly blessed. I know just how lucky I am.
Posted by Jessica at November 1, 2004 12:59 PMAwww. Definitely a keeper! :)
Posted by Rana at November 1, 2004 1:00 PMGood men are hard to find. Great husbands are even more difficult to locate, I should know, I'm on number three (yes, it was the charm).
Happy Bday, Joe.
Harlot? Rock on, woman!
Posted by roggey at November 1, 2004 1:15 PMWhat a lovely tribute. At least I'm at home when you make me cry.
Happy Stinkin' Birthday Joe!
Posted by Collette at November 1, 2004 1:20 PMHappy Birthday Joe!
Posted by Teresa at November 1, 2004 1:20 PMYou're both beautiful. Thank you for making the rest of the world a little more so today.
Posted by AlisonH at November 1, 2004 1:29 PMWhat a beautiful love letter you have written your Joe. Please wish him a happy birthday from me, too.
Posted by Julie in Tucson at November 1, 2004 1:46 PMDarn it, Harlot! Warn a girl, would ya? I come into work wearing mascara and use half a box of tissues to make sure I don't pull a Tammy Faye. You've got a serious gem there, Steph. Happy Birthday, Joe.
Posted by Nathania at November 1, 2004 1:46 PMYou are both very lucky people.
Posted by Christina at November 1, 2004 1:54 PMThat has to be one of the sweetest nicest and most wonderful things I have read - what a gem! Both of you!!!
Posted by Renee at November 1, 2004 1:58 PMWise, tolerant & cute. A rare combo, indeed. Am I the only one thinking that Tom Hanks looks alot like Joe?
Posted by Samina at November 1, 2004 1:59 PMHappy Birthday, Joe!
(Way to go, Steph.)
Happy Birthday, Joe! I get the impression Steph loves you! :-)
Posted by Barbara from Nova Scotia at November 1, 2004 2:07 PMthank you for sharing your wounderful thoughts aobut your husband... a wonderful read!
brought tears:)
Posted by storm at November 1, 2004 2:12 PMTotally agreeing with Nathania, crying at my desk is NOT the impression I want to give my employers!! Reading about Joe makes me realize how many cool things my husband does that I haven't been giving him credit for. Thanks for reminding me, Stephanie. Happy Birthday Joe!
Posted by Jen at November 1, 2004 2:12 PMWhat a beautiful entry, aren't Scorpios just great? Cake is the best! I love their lyrics, they are so extraordinary and interesting. When you sleep, where do your fingers go?...indeed a thought-provoking bit of song.
Posted by Jennifer H. at November 1, 2004 2:15 PMHappy, Happy Birthday Joe!!! Enjoy your dinner!!
Posted by Eilene at November 1, 2004 3:06 PMVerklempt is right - and your entry is such a beautiful way to put love into words. Many of the things you said about Joe I can parallell to the Irishman, but I forget to do that a lot of the time. Thanks for doing that Steph!
need to go blow my nose now....
Your Joe and my Aaron could be best friends. My friends, when they hang out with me for long periods of time often walk away from the day, shaking their heads and saying "Man. Aaron must really love you."
Well he does. And Joe really loves you. A rare match made in heaven!
Posted by Cece at November 1, 2004 3:51 PMWhat a lovely, loving tribute to Joe. I'll just have to go home and hug my DH just 'cuz. Happy birthday, Joe, and many, many more.
Posted by Gina in WA at November 1, 2004 4:00 PMWow, where can I get a man like that? Newfoundland? I'm making my reservations today!
Posted by Emily at November 1, 2004 4:07 PM~sniffsniff~ pass the tissues. You DO have those in Canada, don't you??!
Um, I have a field trip for Joe. A nice outing to Massachusetts. Or anywhere where we can sit and knit. Together. We are ready, doncha think?
Want some candy little girl?
Happy Birthday Joe! Best wishes for joy and happiness.
Posted by Paula at November 1, 2004 4:21 PMI get to buy my husband the new Cake CD for his birthday in December. Last January when we were living in Montreal and I was 7 months pregnant, my DH went for a long road trip down to Florida and back (Mostly so he could pull far out ahead of me in State Bingo). When he arrived back he had way too many Cake albums and was still listening to them constantly. At first I didn't appreciate but they have grown on me. Recently I was listening over and over again to "and this long line of cars.. is all because of me" why this line stuck in my head I have no idea.
Posted by Carla Ehrenreich at November 1, 2004 4:41 PMAwww! Happy Birthday Harlot Man!
Posted by Julia at November 1, 2004 4:49 PMHappy birthday to Joe. Anybody can make friends with a dog, or even a raccoon. It takes Character to make friends with a Hamster.
xoxo Kay
Posted by Kay at November 1, 2004 4:58 PMMy husband changed a light bulb in 1991 and I think although I'm not sure he sure he held the ladder for me while I cleaned the gutters last fall. You have a winner there. Congrats.
Posted by Ann at November 1, 2004 5:00 PMThe happiest of birthdays to you, Joe!
Posted by RebeccaL at November 1, 2004 5:05 PMoh oh ! happy birthday to joe from a french woman
mouhahha!
joyeux anniverssaire joe! et jespere que tu en feteras beaucoup d'autre
Posted by monique at November 1, 2004 5:15 PMThis is honestly the sweetest, most romantic thing I have ever read. Thanks for putting some good karma out into the world. And...Happy Birthday to Joe.
Posted by Raquel at November 1, 2004 5:20 PMHappy birthday Mr. Harlot, er... Sir.
Many years of life and happiness to you both.
Ok, if that is not the sweetest thing - I am all teary-eyed. Happy Birthday, Joe! From what I can tell, you ROCK!
Posted by Alysia at November 1, 2004 5:24 PMI like cake. are these my feet?
Posted by toya at November 1, 2004 5:28 PMyou made me laugh out loud (my toddler stopped watching playschool to ask "are you crying mum?") and cry (she didn't notice the actual crying). What a lovley tribute to an obviously wonderful man and an obviously wonderful relationship - your beautiful words say as much about you and the two of you together as they do about Joe.
Happy Birthday Joe!
Posted by Jo at November 1, 2004 5:42 PMthat is truly the sweetest thing i've ever read. you are so very blessed. happy birthday to your joe!
Posted by rachel m at November 1, 2004 5:59 PMWhat a lovely tribute to the man you love. Joe is very lucky to have you as his wife and it sounds as though you are very lucky to have Joe too.
Posted by Kim at November 1, 2004 6:12 PMAlles Gueti zum Geburi Joe... I just hope that our little Huxley will turn out a man like him... certainly his mom did a great job... 'm also glad that R is half Newf and certainly shares qualities... its so great to pay a tribute that is honest to a fault... love to all....
Posted by minka at November 1, 2004 6:26 PMSteph,
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man. Just remember I had him for a nephew long before you even met him, and I agree with everything you said, and more. He is the best! You are so lucky to have each other - a matched pair if ever there was one. Happy Birthday, Joey. Love you all!
By the way, congrats to Amanda in her music accomplishments. Way to go!!
That is one of the nicest things I have ever read. Happy Birthday to your Joe.
Posted by Karen at November 1, 2004 7:01 PMMay I copy your list and give it to clients... who think they have nothing to love about their spouses? I didn't read about yachts, trips to Rangoon, diamonds or billion dollar mansions... just devotion, humor and attention. Wonderful.
Posted by dana at November 1, 2004 8:03 PMHappy Birthday to you Joe, and may the two of you spend many many more together.
I suspect you both laugh a lot :-)
liz :-)
Posted by liz at November 1, 2004 8:09 PMHey, whatta Y'at, buddy. Happy Birthday Joe.
Stephanie, get Joe to day "Dezember" and "converzation" a few times today, so you can remember another thing that's cool about him.
I do think you should've at least MENTIONED how adorable he is, though. He is, though.
Many returns of the day.
Happy, Happy Birthday Joe!
Wow, that is sweet. My honey's birthday is tomorrow, (and I've cheated. I wrote tomorrow's post this afternoon so he wouldn't be reading over my shoulder when I gush about him). Nothing is better than being with a man who supports and adores you. Congratulations, Steph.
Happy birthday, Joe!
Posted by LauraA at November 1, 2004 9:30 PMI got the warm fuzzies just reading today's entry. You are a very lucky woman to have such a wonderful husband. Happy, happy birthday!!
Posted by Jenny at November 1, 2004 9:33 PMYay Joe! Happy birthday! Much love from Texas!
Posted by Bippy at November 1, 2004 10:31 PMHappy birthday joe!! *sniff* That actually brought a tear to my eye. You're a lovely writer.
Posted by Elizabeth at November 1, 2004 10:46 PMHappy Birthday, Joe!
Posted by Kathen at November 1, 2004 11:20 PMLucky you :) And lucky Joe.
Posted by amy at November 1, 2004 11:27 PMHappy birthday, Joe, indeed. You're so lucky to have so much love in your life! Not to mention, so very few raccoons!
Here's a toast (Madeira, m'dear) to your happiness over many more years with each other.
Posted by Dena Shunra at November 1, 2004 11:54 PMawww. happy birthday, joe. :)
being wonderful and amazing must be a "joe" thing, because my joe is wonderful and amazing, too. :)
Posted by manda at November 2, 2004 12:37 AMI used to think cloning was a bad idea.
Happy Birthday, Joe!
Posted by kerry at November 2, 2004 8:35 AM...one day late....
happy birthday Joe and may you have at least a thousand more years of happiness!
Sniff. Now I'm going to have to set my keyboard out for the fleece snatching squirrels.
Posted by grace at November 2, 2004 10:44 AMi have a joe too. joe's rock!
Posted by maryse at November 2, 2004 2:32 PMWow, Joe must have been thanking you all night long for you to be too tired to post and let us all in on the secret gift! Hope he had a wonderful day - you are a lucky couple.
Anyway, did you make it to Halloween in the heater challenge? Just wondering...
Posted by Beth at November 2, 2004 4:03 PMI am now more than a little bit in love with Joe. Along with, it seems, half of North America and portions of the European Union.
Please pass along my best birthday wishes :)
P.S. We share a birthday, Joe, and I'm Jo too. I'm not half as cool as you, but a girl can aspire...
Posted by JoAnne at November 2, 2004 4:22 PMtrue love Does exist. you reminded me so much of my husband and i, we now have just a bit over 3 months of marriage. i have faith and courage that one day when we have teenagers i will be writing such a list.
the only frustrating thing about having found such an amazing man to spend your life with, i have discovered, is everyone else's disbelief or instant mistrust of true love. thanks for giving more proof to the fact that enduring beautiful love Does exist.
blessings!
What a beautiful gift.
Posted by Kim Sheehan at November 2, 2004 4:36 PMI am jealous, sounds like you gots yourself a keeper!
Happy Birthday Joe, live it up!
Posted by stinkerbell at November 2, 2004 4:45 PMHappy Birthday Joe!
Steph...you are truly blessed with a wonderful man!
Beth: I bet she knit a Mango Tank Teddy and was appropriately worshipped for it, that's why no news today ;)
Posted by roggey at November 2, 2004 5:08 PM
Dear Harlot:
Thank you so very much. Today is MY birthday. Although I was slightly disappointed by lack of blog today, it gave me opportunity to catch up on previous posts. May 10th in particular. I don't think I have ever laughed louder (to my family's astonishment!) Honestly, where do they come up with it? Courtesy rows????? Laugh Madly Out Loud!!!
Very very cool, Stephanie. Looks like you've got a keeper. And so does he.
Posted by Kim at November 2, 2004 6:40 PMHe doesn't by any chance have a single younger brother??? This defines the reason why I have yet to marry. You go girl!
Happy Birthday to Joe too.
Posted by Gwen at November 2, 2004 11:26 PMHappy Birthday, Joe. You sound like a great guy!
Posted by Donna at November 3, 2004 8:06 AMYou never mentioned being married to a unicorn!
Ok, I admit my "humor" (if that's what you call it) is best left confined to the insides of my skull, but that line in the background of the pic really does make Joe look like he's sporting a unicorn horn. Which makes him look all the sweeter.
Posted by leila at November 3, 2004 12:30 PM