Rob turned 30 on Sunday, while we were spending a 3-day weekend out of state visiting his sister who had delivered her second daughter one week earlier. Rob's parents were there, too, and it was nice to celebrate Rob's birthday, and that of his newest niece, with his whole family.

We arrived home late on Monday to find our deck decked out in black balloons and a Happy Birthday banner. Courtesy of JLD & HFD. Inside the door, they'd left a basket of items he will most certainly need in his newfound old age: Centrum Silver, Ensure, a book of large print word searches, dried prunes, FiberOne, baby aspirin. (There's more, but I feel bad rattling these off, knowing the list surely matches the contents of Nilbo's nightstand.) It was brilliant. When the occasion calls for rubbing salt in the wound, they are totally the friends who will come through. (Love you guys!)

So now he's 30 and I'm hoping the depressing John Mayer singalongs will stop. At least until it's my turn to turn 30...which, as I'm only 28, is SO FAR AWAY. Just saying.

A few weeks ago I was teasing Rob about a bump on the back of his head, asking him what he thought a phrenologist would say about him. And he responded, without hesitation and in all seriousness, "Probably that I'm smart and easy to get along with." I laughed out loud, and said something about the phrenologist also surely noting a lack of humility.

But the thing is, it's an accurate self-assessment. And now for the serious/sappy part of this birthday tribute. Spending time with a newborn makes me consider how amazingly far a person comes in 30 years. Even when we're just 1 week old, our parents have big dreams and high hopes for us. And I just want to say to you, Rob, that you make people proud. Your family, your friends, your co-workers - people are proud to know you. You are a way better person than I am, frankly. You're one of those people whose talents and character stand out to others. This is why I fell in love with you. Because, indeed, you are smart and easy to get along with. Because you're honorable and hilarious. Because you're the person I most respect. You make me better, and make my life so much better. Happy birthday, darling.