Today is John’s birthday. Okay, well, it isn’t actually TODAY, as in, right now. Because as I type this, it is still June 4th here, and his birthday is June 5th. But over there in the Sandy Spot, it’s the 5th.
Although, since it isn’t the 5th in the state where he was born, he isn’t officially a year older until it’s the 5th out here.
Technicalities and all that.
But, as I sit here, in what used to be his bedroom, in a house surrounded by pictures of him from babyhood on up, I’m suddenly shocked by the fact that tomorrow/today/whatever, my husband will be twenty-nine years old. TWENTY-NINE, peeps. Do you realize that he is now one year away from thirty???
And you all remember how old I am, right?
Freaky. Really freaky.
You know what else is freaky? Possibly even more freaky than the fact that in one short year I’ll have a husband who is no longer in his 20′s?
This:
I’m currently looking at a little frame with three of John’s graduation pictures. His ten year reunion is in a couple weeks, so that tells you how old these pictures are. (He’s, uh, not going, in case you were wondering. I don’t think they’d give him leave for that one.)
He still has all of the clothes that he’s wearing in these pictures. All of them. And if I’d let him, he’d wear them.
So anyway.
Since I’m dealing with the wonders of dial up internet here (fun times, peeps) and I’m in desperate need of SOME SLEEP, PEOPLE, I edited, updated and added to the post I wrote last year.
Heh, I figure I can get away with that… it was on “the old blog” and most of you weren’t even reading then anyway. At least, that’s the excuse I’m going with.
So.
Twenty-nine [twenty-NINE?! ACK! He's so OLD, peeps!] years ago today, in a little town in Minnesota, a little baby boy was born…
When he graduated from high school, he set out on an adventure when he became a United States Marine….
Two years later was given a precious little gift when he became this little man’s daddy and favorite person on earth…
Nineteen months after that, another little man came into the picture and just stole his daddy’s heart.
Ten weeks later, the little family said goodbye as their guy headed off to the Sandy Spot.
But, most of all, to me he’s just the guy I love with all my heart. More now than ever before.
Happy birthday, Beloved!
















What a sweet tribute to your hubby! I hope his birthday is special despite the fact that he is far from home and those he loves.
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Happy Birthday John!! Thanks for taking the time on dial-up Ash to update. :)
And, I just hafta razz you about this…if he’s old…I’m *ANCIENT* seeing as how I am a whole 4 years and then some months older than him. Thanks for reminding us old geezers Ash ;) Love you bunches and bunches.
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What a great post for your love’s birthday! I hope he has as wonderful a day as he can. I hear the Marine Corps gives you the day off for your birthday… HA! thats from one marine wife to another! :)
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Ashleigh,
What beautiful pictures of the two of you together. It’s so fun seeing another couple that is seven years apart… just wait until he gets into his 30′s – it will feel so, so weird then. :)
Happy Birthday to your guy!
Hope that you are having a good, restful time in Colorado. :)
Love, Carrie
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Oh my goodness, he’s so OLD! Just kidding, I’ve been 29 for 9 months already… bracing myself for the big “THREE-OH”. Ahhh! THEN we can talk about OLD!
Happy Birthday to John!
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Happy Birthday John!!!
Ashleigh, I’m so GLAD that you aren’t letting dial-up keep you off the computer.
You think 29 is old? Michael turned 48 June 4th. Two years from 50==yikes. As you would say: It’s all about perspective. :)
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So Sweet! Happy Birthday!
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Happy Birthday John!
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You’re not turning older, rather wiser!
Congrats.
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From one old person to another–Happy Birthday to the OLD GUY!!
We sure miss him… ::sniff::
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Happy Birthday to your dear husband! What a sweet story in pictures – may God bring your husband home very soon!
God bless you. :) Y’all are a cute couple!!
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Happy Birthday to John! His birthday and we get the gift. Tell him thanks for having our backs. I think about you often Ashleigh and how you remind me of myself at your age, learning some very grown up lessons right off the bat early in marriage. You two are awesome. Much love to your whole brood from all of mine in here in Okieland!
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if he’s old than I must be dinosaur.
@56 years young.
that’s my story and I;m sticking to it.
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Oh I love your tribute post! I had no idea he was so much older than you! :)
Happy Birthday to John!
Thank You for your sacrifice and dedication to serving our country and fighting for our freedom. God Bless You!
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ok so that was suppose to be a happy post, why am i in tears. Im sending John a happy birthday message today! We miss him so much and pray that he has a blessed birthday even though he is in the sandy spot. Ash its not so bad having an old man for a husband trust me!! Hahahahah dont tell Frank I said that!
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So sweet! I love all of the pictures. Happy birthday!!!! Y’all are the cutest little family I have ever seen. :)
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Oh happy birthday to your husband!! Loved, loved the post!!
Ginger~
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I can’t believe you said he’s old! I mean, I call Brian old, but John’s younger than me … please don’t call him old :-s
Oh, and for some odd reason, I seem to recognize that style … I wonder why that would be. It couldn’t possibly have anything to do with being the same age :-)
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O.K., so the box won’t make it there on time, but assure him we’re wishing him the best birthday he could have!!! (all circumstances considered)
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Awww, sweet post, Ashleigh.
Happy Birthday, John!!!!!
~Kristi
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(lurker alert) I love reading your blogs, I’ve been praying for a while now, for your family while your husband is away. Just to let you know- you’re not alone! My sweetie is turning the big 3-0 on Sunday and I’m not quite 22 yet. ;) Our birthdays are about a month apart, but still, my darlin’ is no longer in his 20′s and it makes me feel like a little baby-face munchkin. However, he’s still as boyish as ever, and a true testament that there ARE Godly men who wait a long time before marrying the right girl. We’ve been married 2 years and are expecting our first little one. So, if you were to ask my lover, 30 isn’t that bad- even if he’s holding on tight to 29. ;)
Be blessed in the love of Jesus today,
LeAnna
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yep, a real old fart, but he can be my hero.
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Ashleigh, I don’t know how to say this nicely so I’m just going to go ahead and say this…I don’t think I can continue reading your blog. Furthermore…The England trip is going to have to be COMPLETELY CANCELED!!
I have been feeling the “old” and not going to be in my 20′s anymore lamentations since my 28th! And you know how time seems to fly the older you get?
Well, I can’t seem to slow down the clock. I am trying my very best to savor every last day of my 29th year.
So…in conclusion…if I wasn’t already doing a good job convincing myself of how OLD I am, you just put the nail in the coffin.
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I have the utmost respect for our men and women in service for our country. And I have the utmost respect for the families here, who are willing to sacrifice not only time with their loved ones, but sometimes their loved ones themselves, in service to our country.
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Goodness, Ashleigh, you’ve got a pregnant lady crying. Thanks! ;) Anyway, happy belated birthday, John, you young’n. :)
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Hi Ashleigh. Just read your post over at Shannon’s and wanted to read more! You are a great writer.
Thank you for the sacrifices you and your family make for the rest of us. You and your beautiful boys and your BIG boy are in my prayers today.
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