Saturday, August 9, 2025 – Day 361

Saturday, August 9, 2025

Good morning, everybody!
 It’s a special day, and I’m keeping my focus right where it belongs—on today.

Happy Anniversary, Cindy!
Twenty years ago, it was just the two of us in Napa Valley, exchanging vows. These two decades have been nothing short of wonderful, and I’m still counting my blessings that you said “yes” to the blind date… then “yes” to “Will you marry me?”… and finally “I do” to “Do you take Andrew?”

I’m so glad we took that leap of faith and finally gave in to Kathy and Heather’s persistent matchmaking. They saw something in us before we ever did, and they never stopped trying to bring us together. I’m sure they thought, Just one date… there’s bound to be a spark.

Our first date was after work on a Tuesday, at Portofino Italian Bistro in Vernon Hills. I’m pretty sure you suggested “just drinks” so you’d have an easy exit if things went sideways. But one drink became two, conversation flowed easily, and before we knew it, hours had passed. It grew late that night (past 7:30 pm) before realized You finally had to head home—back to Crystal Lake—with a long commute ahead of you. We parted with no commitments, but we knew there was something there.

We met again a couple of weeks later—again on a Tuesday—and this time had dinner. Then the next date after that? Another Tuesday. You became suspicious and asked, “What’s with Tuesday? Am I the Tuesday Girl?” I told you it was simply the only night I had free—other nights I was with the kids.

And yes, you did become the Tuesday Girl… but you were the only girl. I wasn’t about to mess up a good thing by dating anyone else.

When it came time to set a wedding date, we landed on Tuesday, August 9, 2005—cementing your official title. But there’s a second reason for that date. I wanted something I’d never forget, so I suggested August 9 because it was also the anniversary of the Cubs’ first official night game. (The “first” first was on 8/8/88, but it was rained out before the 5th inning, so it didn’t count.) August 9 stuck—and here we are, twenty years later.

Thank you, Cindy, for saying “yes” to that blind date, for building a life together, for merging our families, and for making Crystal Lake truly feel like “a good place to live.”

Today we celebrate all we’ve built, raise a glass to the last 20 years, and look forward to all the memories still ahead.

Happy Anniversary, Cindy—I love you! 💕

Have a great Saturday, everyone.
Love you guys! ❤️