What do actor Vin Diesel, actress Kristen Bell, the late Nelson Mandela, and boxer Canelo Alverez have in common? They all share a birthday with the most wonderful woman in the world—my wife. On this day in the not-so-distant past (the year does not really matter, does it?), Des Datres Yerrid was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It would take me about 19 years to find her, but I cannot imagine my life without her now. So today, on her birthday, I celebrate my wife. My wife is a fantastic mother to our two children and three dogs. For the greater part of 21 years, my wife has faithfully ensured that the kids were up on time for classes and schoolwork and made sure that homework and assignments were being completed so they could graduate on time. Des is a friend and confidant to our children, and she listens to their problems full of empathy and concern for their well-being. When they are not feeling well, Des cooks and looks after the kids. Her generosity does not end with our human children. Des also feeds and takes care of our three dogs, ensuring that their biological and emotional needs are taken care of. My wife is also a faithful and loving partner and has been for the 25 years that we have been married. She is the person I turn to when I have a bad day at work. She is my biggest cheerleader in maintaining my health and wellbeing. She supports my hobbies and interests, even when they are expensive or poorly planned. Furthermore, my wife is an incredibly hard worker that makes juggling everything she manages look effortless. She maintains the house, ensuring that it is clean and organized. She does all the shopping, including groceries and household items. She spends a lot of time gardening and making our house a home. When she is not doing things around the house, she also works a part time job to help support our financial obligations and goals. While I am not quite sure how I managed to find such a wonderful muse and soulmate; however, I can honestly say that I found my best friend. It has been a wonderful ride for 25 years, and I look forward to spending the next 25 with you. Happy birthday, Des.
