Happy Birthday to My Awesome Wife.....

Pretty sure most of you already know "Squirrel" or Cheryl as her Mom still calls her. She has been the one stable thing in my life for the past 9 years. And last year she made me the luckiest, ugly 43 year old fat guy (okay, at least 20 lbs overweight) when she married me.

I don't know how she does it, I really don't. Having to deal with me being on the road as much as I am, as I chase 'the dream' of playing professional poker for living and chasing that one BIG SCORE that will allow us to do whatever, whenever, we want. But she does, and her support means the world to me.

I won't tell you how old she is...but is it just ME or does she still look about 25? Well, she isn't, but you'd never know. She works at the Beau Rivage...carrying trays full of drinks all night, five days a week. And how she does that without killing someone I will NEVER know. I've gone in and watched/followed her around sometimes, watching people give her nickels and dimes for a tip or many times nothing at all. And yet she keeps on smiling. Incredible.

This morning she had over 100 'Happy Birthday' greetings on her Facebook page, and I could tell, it made her very happy. She isn't big on expensive gifts or flashy 'stuff'...its the small things that bring her the most happiness, and seeing her smiling face when she was reading all of those was pretty special.

I am very lucky to have this woman in my life. As I have had to deal with my issues through the last nine years, including in poker...it has been her who has been there to counsel me and try to lead me down the right path. I don't know if I would have ever gotten this far without her. Granted, I know I have a long way to go...but I am sure glad I have her near my side to take me there.

So today....I share with you all...just how much I love my beautiful wife on her birthday. She is my anchor.

MONKEY