More. More. More.

“I want to dye my hair blonde and cut it short.”

“I want to dye my hair red and grow it long.”

“I want to dye my hair pink. Who cares the length at that color?”

—

“I think I’d like to try yoga. Just a few classes. Only a few dollars.”

“I want more yoga more yoga more yoga.”

—

“I’d like to run a 5K.”

“I’d like to run a 10K.”

“I’d like to run a marathon, then a triathlon, then another marathon …”

—

“I want to buy a house.”

“I want to buy a big house with lots of guest rooms for our parties.”

“I want to sell our house because no one comes to our parties anymore and get a studio apartment in the city.”

—

Folks, if you haven’t noticed, that’s me in a nutshell. When I decide I want to do something, I want to do it yesterday. I look at things like budgets and finances as mere suggestions. I will come up with any scenario and any twist to make it fit what it is I want to accomplish. I will drag along anyone who is willing to go on whatever crazy adventure I’ve decided to embark.

And the man who is turning 36 37 (Editor’s note: 2012 – 1975 = 37.) today has not only been there with me during the past 12 years of crazy adventures, but he’s been my biggest cheerleader and best sidekick at it all. I don’t walk, I sprint full speed until I crash into a wall or run out of breath. I don’t nibble, I bite off the biggest damn piece I can fit in my mouth. I don’t want $1 for a cup of coffee, I want $3,000 so I can own the best coffeepot I’ve ever seen. This is what it’s like to live with me. And he not only tolerates it, but he actually loves it. In fact, he’s much more practical about these crazy adventures, and thankfully for our bank account he does know when to say no (Ok, he never ever says no, he just sometimes says not yet.)

You might not know it to first meet him, but most of the time, he’s the instigator. He suggested London to celebrate Elizabeth’s 40th birthday for New Years this year. He sets lofty goals about how far we’ll hike, where we’ll travel, and then sits back and waits for me to bug him endlessly until we do it. In fact, a few months ago, he said to me, “I cannot wait to see what we get to experience next.”

Don’t worry, babe. I’ve got a whole list of items to choose from.