Confessions of a 30 Something My Forever Valentine

BY LEE VOGLER

Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and affection, and for me, that means celebrating my wife, Blair.

I first met Blair at a party back in the fall of 2006. I was living the full life of a 19-year-old: taking classes at DCC, working at Davis Storage downtown in warehouses that are now breweries and apartments, playing baseball in the afternoon, fronting a punk rock band in the evening, and then having friends over at the apartment I shared with my friend, Josh Soffriti. If this sounds like a lot, it was. A doctor would later tell me I was suffering from what he called clinical exhaustion.

One fall evening, Josh and I went to a party at a house far off the beaten path, but a regular hangout for kids. Then walked in the girl that would change the rest of my life. Blair was the sister of a girl I was taking classes with at DCC, so naturally, I wanted an introduction. Blair’s sister introduced me as someone who “sounds just like that guy from Green Day.” The rest, as they say, is history. https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you

For the last 16 years and counting, Blair and I have shared a life together.

Through the good and the bad, we’ve always known we can count on each other. I’d like to tell you that, like a light switch, I instantly became this great person, but that wasn’t the case. Like most people, I’ve been a work in progress. I’m always trying to be better in different facets of my life.

Being married to Blair has made me a better person. She challenges me to be my best self and pushes me to be a more patient, understanding, and loving husband. I’m very grateful for that and hopefully, I have helped push her to achieve things she didn’t think were possible, as well.

Valentine’s Day is a special day, but for me, every day is a day to celebrate the love I have for Blair. I am so lucky to have her in my life and I look forward to many more Valentine’s Days, and many more years, together.