The Spongebob to my Patrick, The Snuffy to my Big Bird, The Elmo to my Dorthy

I met Matt on my first day of college. A few weeks later the girl who sat in front of me in my Pyschology class spun around and introduced herself with an overwhelming jubilation. Seriously, I have never met anyone who seemed that excited to meet me. She was a pretty dark haired girl with an effervescent smile and round cheeks. Super sweet. I had no idea why she introduced herself to me, but I was grateful to meet someone nice since I knew NO ONE. Except for Matt who was still in that observe-the-girl-I-have-a-crush-on-but-never-speak-directly-to-her phase of our relationship.
As it turns out this dark-haired Irish girl had ulterior motives. She was dating a guy that was friends with Matt and she wanted to see what I was all about. It would seem that she liked what I was about because we've been friends through college, weddings (we both married those college boys), children and so much more.

When Matt finally got up the nerve to ask me out, it was my Irish Pirate that did the girly jump up and down squeal thing we do when a boy we like asks us out with me. Seriously, we acted like fools on the front sidewalk of the college. It was a fun moment and one I treasure. Thank you.

One day at the beginning of this year, I dropped my kids off at my In-Laws while Matt was at work and I went home to an empty house and a message on my answering machine. My Irish Pirate had called me when her husband told her I had had a miscarriage. Her message wasn't scripted. She never once said, don't worry, you'll have another baby . What she said was, "I am here. You don't have to call me back, but if you need me, I am here."
I listened to her message and laid down on the floor in my house and sobbed. I never called you back, but you were here. Thank you.

After all you've done for me I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't call you, facebook you, text you or even send you a singing telegram today to say:

I hope that all of you will raise your sippy cup and toast the Piratemom today. She's (are we suppoed to be lying about our age already?) celebrating her 21st birthday for at least the next 26 minutes. Yeah 21. Sounds good.

My version of a singing telegram.(you have to at least watch starting at 2:55. Awesome) Happy Birthday.