{Society Posts are authored by other bloggers to offer a different perspective on parenting. Interested? Submit your own post here.}

07 · 01 · 2009

Happy Birthday, Scary Mommy: A Guest Post

Today marks the 14th birthday I have had the privilege to spend as Scary Mommy’s significant other. I still fondly remember that first birthday together: two kids so intoxicated with new, young love that it didn’t matter that we were underage and unable to toast the occasion. Oh, how much I thought I knew about Jill then, after just 10 months! I can unequivocally say now that I hardly knew her at all.

What I love most about birthdays is that they allow you to take stock of the events of one year: the good and the bad, the extraordinary and the ho-hum. Having celebrated every birthday together since we were 18, I’ve also come to view birthdays as an opportunity to recollect what I’ve learned about my darling wife over the previous 365 days. For instance, that first year after Jill was diagnosed with Level III Melanoma, I discovered that courage was at the core of her being. I also learned that she has a crazy-high tolerance for pain that, to this day, makes me look as masculine as Tinker Bell glowing at night.

Since then I’ve learned about the vehemence of her heart and the veracity of her eyes, the taste of her tears and the strength of her mind.

But it’s what I’ve learned over the past year that deserves recognition today here on this blog: the girl is a writer! The irony is hard to ignore. As students, Jill explicitly designed her class schedule around the likelihood of having to write papers, avoiding the words “term paper” like most people avoid a fallen bar of soap in a jailhouse shower. Me, on the other hand, I was a literature major with a focus in creative writing. I used to practice iambic pentameter for fun! I fantasized about a writing career that would afford me a generous salary and the freedom to work from home.

The time I’ve spent writing has dwindled over the years, as the demands of my career in public relations have taken precedence and the joy of spending time with my three children dictates my “free time” activities. Meanwhile, the once word-phobic Scary Mommy has smartly turned her homemaker gig into a career as a confessional author and domestic lifestyle satirist. She has the joy (and, admittedly, at times, the burden) of staying home with our kids and chronicling their days and nights on this blog. Through her witty writing, self-deprecating humor, and keen observations, Jill has done in just over one year what many more experienced writers fail to ever do: connect. All you have to do is read the comments (I read every one) to see that Jill has built a true community of men and women—young and old—from all parts of the globe, who turn to Scary Mommy to laugh, to learn, and most importantly, to connect. That’s the impact every writer dreams of.

So, on this special day, I celebrate a wonderful wife, mother, and author—a woman whose considerable talents continue to reveal themselves year after year. Happy Birthday, love.

Previous post:

Next post:

{ 55 comments }

1 Starnes Fam July 1, 2009 at 1:05 pm

A writer, indeed! Isn’t it funny where life takes us? I used to be a buyer for two major retailers……and now I spend my days going to the zoo and making cookies and writing my family’s story on our dorky family blog.

Happy Birthday!
.-= Starnes Fam´s last blog ..He Stays! =-.

2 Robin July 1, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Awww. Great post!
Happy Birthday Jill!
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Gone Baby, Gone! =-.

3 fivemomsandablog July 1, 2009 at 1:56 pm

Wow, happy birthday Jill! What a sweet tribute from your husband! I hope you have a wonderfully awesome day!

~ Nan

4 Patty Reiser July 1, 2009 at 2:17 pm

Happy Birthday Scary Mommy! And a big “Ahhh!” to hubby for posting a wonderful birthday tribute. Wishing you a scent-sational Birthday!

In honor of all July Birthdays (me too) I am having a Giveaway. Hope you will stop by and enter.

http://camerapatty.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/potd-birthdays/

5 SWIRL GIRL July 1, 2009 at 2:34 pm

Happy BirtHday Jill!

I’m all choked up over here!!

6 Kelly Deneen July 1, 2009 at 2:40 pm

Happy Birthday!

What a sweet, sweet post and tribute from your husband. :)

7 OHmommy July 1, 2009 at 3:38 pm

Awwww…….

Happy Birthday!
.-= OHmommy´s last blog ..America has taught him well. =-.

8 Missy July 1, 2009 at 4:56 pm

What a wonderful post from your husband!

Happy Birthday Jill!
.-= Missy´s last blog ..Free Giveaway~ Peanut Shell Pouch at bTrendie =-.

9 Allison July 1, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Happy Birthday Jill!!! I hope it is lovely! You really are a great writer. I never miss your blog :)

10 SeattleDad July 1, 2009 at 5:13 pm

Way to go Scary Dad! Happy Birthday Scary Mommy!!
.-= SeattleDad´s last blog ..Need I Say More? =-.

11 Ronda's Rants July 1, 2009 at 5:38 pm

Happy Birthday to my favorite blogger who always entertains…
Scary Dad is a keeper and you both make a really cute couple!
God Bless you both!

12 Jodi July 1, 2009 at 5:45 pm

Happy Birthday Jill! May you have another 365 days of fun, laughter, tears, and joy! Enjoy your special day! Scary Daddy….thanks for the insight into your lives and for honoring your wife on her special day.
.-= Jodi´s last blog ..Honey Do’s Workshop =-.

13 Cathy July 1, 2009 at 6:50 pm

Aww, what a great post! Happy Birthday!!
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..I Miss You Guys! =-.

14 DCUrbanDad July 1, 2009 at 9:55 pm

Happy Birthday!!!!!!
.-= DCUrbanDad´s last blog ..BFFs 4 Ever =-.

15 Tiffany July 1, 2009 at 10:16 pm

“confessional author and domestic lifestyle satirist” <——genius. Love it.

I hope you had a fabulous day, my friend. Yanno, besides the black eye and all!!

16 Jamie July 2, 2009 at 12:36 am

wow – what a post! Happy Birthday Jill — I know you already know this but what a sweet husband you have…cheers to another fabulous year!

17 Barb July 2, 2009 at 9:31 am

What an amazing post. You are both lucky to have each other. Happy Birthday!
.-= Barb´s last blog ..New purses =-.

18 Trenches of Mommyhood July 2, 2009 at 9:36 am

Awwww…Jill, you got yourself a keeper!
.-= Trenches of Mommyhood´s last blog ..Weather Woes =-.

19 Laura July 2, 2009 at 2:53 pm

What a beautiful tribute—your kids are so fortunate to have such a talented Mommy and loving Daddy.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..cortisol is not your friend =-.

20 Life with Kaishon July 2, 2009 at 5:21 pm

This made me cry. I love him too. So sweet.
.-= Life with Kaishon´s last blog ..What do I make? =-.

21 Mags July 2, 2009 at 10:47 pm

Happy belated Birthday! Not only are you an awesome blogger, but you share the same birthday as my Mom. :)

22 Jo July 13, 2009 at 9:12 pm

Oh my gosh. This was such a perfectly written post. A man who is proud of his wife and prouder still to make it known to everyone else.

LOVE It!

23 BadGirl40 October 22, 2009 at 9:17 am

This personalized approach points students in the right direction by introducing them to the library materials needed for their course work. ,

24 Mr.Carrot13 October 23, 2009 at 9:43 am

Ethics in Action An important goal of Venturing is to help young adults be responsible and caring persons, both now and in the future. ,

25 Mad Woman behind the Blog September 13, 2010 at 2:44 pm

Just found this using your “click for a random post” function. And my first response is, can I have one of him? Please?

You are one lucky couple to have each other. WOW…and happy belated birthday.
Mad Woman behind the Blog recently posted..Flashback time

Comments on this entry are closed.