another special day missed


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Today is September 11th, a date etched firmly into our memories, especially for those of us from the United States.  Most of us remember exactly where we were, what we were doing, that Tuesday morning in 2001 when our world was rocked in a very unpleasant way (isn’t that an understatement!).  Call me sentimental, but 11 years later, I still get a little choked up at the memories of that day.

A few years ago, September 11th took on a new meaning and importance to me; in a good way, a very good way.  You see, a few years ago, on a cold December day, I met Kate, the beautiful lady who has agreed to share her life with me.  September 11th is the date of her birth.

So although the date of September 11th will always bring up the memories of the horrible events of 11 years ago; they have been minimized to some degree as I thank the Lord for Kate.  She has brought a new meaning and joy to my life and I will forever consider myself fortunate and blessed to have her as my wife.

Of course, it is a little harder to be positive this year because I am here & she is in Minnesota.  Another one of life’s special events celebrated apart.  But I will soon be home and we have made plans to catch up on lost time.

If you get a chance, wish my Kate a very Happy Birthday today.

The rest of you can stop reading now.

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Kate, I miss you more than mere words can describe, but I love you even more than that.  Happy Birthday darlin’, I am sad that I cannot be there to celebrate it with you.  I will do my best to make it up to you soon…very soon.  Love you babe!

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91 responses »

  1. Marianne says:

    What beautiful photos of you, Kate and your young family and what an obvious joy it is for you to share them with us. Your pride shines through, Dan, as well it might.

    It´s a pity that you are not able to be with Kate on her special day, but she has the children with her in Minnesota and it will be all the sweeter knowing that you will all be reunited by the end of September.

    Happy Birthday Kate – you´ll have your man home very soon 🙂

  2. cissyblue says:

    Happy Birthday Beautiful Kate! I’ve enjoyed your husband’s photography for several months now, but clearly his best work is here. Love and happiness to you both, you ar well over-due!!! ❤ ❤ ❤

  3. manty67 says:

    A lovely tribute to a lovely wife, beautiful photos of you all. I hope Kate is able to celebrate her birthday in a small way today without you, and the real celebrations can happen at the end of the month.

    Happy Birthday Kate !

  4. Reggie says:

    Happy Birthday, Kate! I wish that your husband could be home with you and the kids to share your special day with his loved ones – and I pray that he will return to you safely at the end of the month.

    Dan, these are beautiful images – may you always be happy together.

  5. Happy birthday to your beautiful wife. What a warm smile she has.

  6. Watchoot says:

    Happy Birthday Kate 🙂

  7. Kimberly says:

    Happy Birthday Kate. Today especially, I wish you many happy returns.

  8. Happy Birthday Kate! Beautiful photos Dan. 🙂

  9. mushypeas says:

    happy, happy birthday, kate!

    & thank you also for the sacrifices you & your family make, as a military family, for our country.

    dan, beautiful photos of a beautiful family. :o)

  10. Ray's Mom says:

    Happy birthday Kate! I wish for your family a happy and content future with lots more birthday celebrations together. I have enjoyed visiting this blog and following the count down and the many outstanding photos.

    Good luck and God’s blessings to both of you.

  11. Deborah says:

    Happy Birthday Kate and may there be many wonderful ones to come with Dan by your side.

  12. What a beautiful gift, made sweeter by the fact that you’ll see your family soon. =) Happy birthday, Kate!

  13. deCamville Design says:

    A very Happy Birthday to you, Kate! Enjoy this birthday cupcake: http://decamvilledesign.wordpress.com/patricias-art/#jp-carousel-1713 ~Patricia & Jack

  14. kathyruth says:

    Happy Birthday Kate, have a nice day. Just to let you know you have a wonderful husband,in so many ways he has help many family members get through this long deployment. I’m so glad you will soon have him back home and in your arms again.

  15. allisonsarah says:

    Happy Birthday! Beautiful story and photos 🙂 You should enter them into Canon’s Project Imaginat10n https://www.longliveimagination.com

  16. rheath40 says:

    Happy Birthday to Kate. You’re coming home soon. That’s all the present she will need!

  17. Happy Birthday. Get home safe that’s the best gift ever.

  18. Happy Birthday Kate!!!! 🙂

  19. Audrey says:

    Wishing your Kate a very happy birthday, and that the joy of her day will only be superceded by the joy of celebrating it with you when you get home.

  20. Happy Birthday, Kate.

  21. Melanie says:

    Happy Birthday Kate!

  22. Margarita says:

    Happy birthday, Kate! How wonderful to have such a powerful reminder of love and life on this date! 😉

  23. dianeroark says:

    This is so sweet! It is wonderful how God works. I have no doubt that He gave you Kate to help minimize the pain of that terrible day. Blessing Always, Diane Roark http://www.recipesforourdailybread.com

    HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE!!!!!!

  24. Happy Birthday, Kate! Wishing you many blessings for a wonderful year!

  25. Happy Birthday Kate! I regret that you’re spending today without your husband, But I pray that your joy will be restored tenfold, and very soon!
    What an absolutely beautiful slide show to celebrate Dan’s love for you and your beautiful children. It’s wonderful. He’s clearly smitten! 😀

    May God richly bless you and your family. ~Beth

  26. gracefully50 says:

    Happy Birthday, Kate!! Here’s to many many more!
    God bless!

  27. Marian says:

    Happy Birthday Kate! hope it was a most joyful day

  28. nightlake says:

    a very happy birthday to Kate:)

  29. Humbled Pie says:

    God bless you, Kate and the family. Come home safe and soon.

  30. I am sure she misses you as much as you miss her………….

  31. ~mimo~ says:

    beautiful photos and such a moving post!

  32. aFrankAngle says:

    Wonderful reflection about 9-11 and your wife. Happy Birthday Kate for Cincinnati.

  33. Happy birthday Kate!!! Wishing you a wonderful year full and overflowing of all that you love and hold dear!

  34. Denise Hisey says:

    How lovely for you to reach across the globe in such a beautiful way.
    Thank you for your service, and thanks to your special Birthday Girl for her own sacrifice of letting you go.
    Blessings to you both when you are able to celebrate belatedly.

  35. Dear Dan, your Kate is beautiful…This post made me tear up a bit. I am glad that soon you will be home with your loved ones. Thank you for sharing. It’s been a pleasure to see the loves of your life. Blessings. Sharon

  36. jay says:

    Happy Birthday Kate.

  37. cinandjules says:

    Opps wrong email address……Happy Birthday again…Kate.

  38. inés de l'orange says:

    Such a lovely gesture… Happy Birthday, Kate! God bless your family!!! 🙂

  39. Karen Sturm says:

    Happy Birthday Kate, you have a VERY wonderful husband that made a nice thing happen for me and my husband, you are very lucky to have a great man in your life as I know my husband is as wonderful.. Hope you had a wonderful day and will enjoy your husband home safe to you soon..xoxox

  40. P.S. I Love Soap Co. says:

    Little late but Happy Belated Birthday Kate:) Hope you enjoyed your day!

  41. Tinman says:

    He’ll be home soon, Kate. Hope you had a lovely birthday.

  42. surindernath says:

    Belated happy birth day Kate and congrats for being married to a real time war hero. May God bless you both and your brave family. Amen !!

  43. What beautiful photos, the warmth and love comes through them. That is so very special. I’m so happy you’re almost home. 🙂 Love & Light.

  44. Oh my goodness what sweet pictures and you have such a beautiful family 😀 Thank you so much for sharing these and HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATE! 🙂

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