When we entered into the relationship, I knew I wasn’t the first. And there have been some tense moments over the years, mostly when we were in San Francisco or (as is so often the case) when we travelled together. A lot of effort has to go into a healthy relationship, and I’ve neglected things from time to time. Both of us have our faults and our weaknesses, and we’ve both been through a lot.

But I wouldn’t trade these past ten years for anything.

I haven’t done one of these in a while. It’s mid-February through the years:

• 2006: The Triangle and some other stuff.
• 2005: The date was set.
• 2004: Wedding bells.
• 2003: Los Angeles.
• 2002: Valentine’s weekend in Fresno.
• 2001: Visit from Duncan.
• 2000: Being recognized in bars and not having sex.
• 1999: Will I be moving?
• 1998: Loving El Nino.
• 1997: New used car (which I’m still driving).

There were a lot of things going on in February in the earlier years too, but for some reason I don’t feel like including them.

Three years ago today, he and I were a part of the most romantic act of civil disobedience ever:

You know what? I love him even more now than I did then. Contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t just clutching onto him to stay warm that morning after spending the whole night outside in the cold rain.