I had to work last night and my little red wanted to play with Superman. I pulled up my big girl pants and asked.

J- So… she wants to come play with you- with your family- is that ok?

S- I’ll be there in an hour.

He came with his brothers, who dote on her like she’s a tiny glass flower… and make her laugh just as much as they spoil her. It feels damn amazing having people love and entertain her while I’m working. I’m a little distracted hoping she’s ok- but I also know he’d protect her with his life and worries more than any man I’ve ever met. She’s as safe as if I’d wrapped her in bubble wrap and locked her in the vault at Fort Knox.

I got a text from him as I was getting off work asking if they could come get me and take me back for fireworks… and I hate to impose, but I’d love nothing more than to have some sweet family time and they’re at the house when I get home from work, waiting and giggling.

I corner her a little to make sure she’s ok, ask how it was and she sighs.

R- I’m so thankful for Superman. I had the best time. He took me on the 4-wheelers and let me drive. He took me fishing… and he took me to meet the turtle in his parent’s pond. He’s the best, mom- I think we should keep him.

I’m so overwhelmed by her glowing stamp of approval that I don’t know what to say beyond “Glad you had fun” and we left. Fireworks with his family is like being tucked under the wing of the Waltons. They all love each other. They tease each other and they’re all so funny that you spend every moment fighting for breath because they’re all so damn funny. It’s the family I always dreamed of- and it makes perfect sense because he’s so amazing.

That whole thing about asking how a man feels about his mother is legit. I asked him early on.

J- What’s your mom like? How do you like her? What’s your relationship with her like?

S- She’s my best friend. I love her and I tell her everything. I’m a proud mama’s boy.

Nuff said. The man loves his mama…. and I love this man… AND his mama.

God bless his beautiful sister- who set this fairytale in motion. I’m working on something special for her baby shower, this Saturday- and hope that I can give her a tenth of the happiness she’s blessed my life with.

We left late, and he apologized to little red for keeping her up late for fireworks. Goodness- the man is just too good.

Getting out of the car, talking about my new pink kitchen utensils my mama gave me for my birthday, my little princess pipes up.

R- Good news, Superman! I talked her out of the pink paint in the kitchen. How about mint green? I told her that it wasn’t fair to make you live in a house with a pink kitchen- and that it was only fair we all agree on the color and pink accessories will look nice with green. What do you think?

He grinned at me and laughed.

S- It’s your mama’s kitchen and if she wants it to be pink, I’ll paint it pink for her myself.

She giggled at him and went to bed, and I found him, after tucking her in- with a bottle of lotion in his hands waiting to rub my feet.

Somebody punch me- because we’re way beyond a pinch. This man isn’t Prince Charming- he’s perfection on legs.

I pulled the bobby pins out of my hair, dropping little blue flowers all over the bed and unwound the braids in my hair.

S- You look like a mermaid… thank you for letting me hang out with little red today- she’s so funny- and it sounds like she’s ok with me being permanent considering the paint.

J- She’s a smart girl- and you’re incredibly wonderful to both of us.

S- I just like to see you smile so big that you wrinkle your nose. It lets me know I’m doing my job.

J- Sounds like I might just have to propose to you.

S- That’s a man’s job.

The thought of this happiness being permanent makes me smile new crows feet into my face and giggle out loud like I have the best secret I’ve ever heard.

I woke up early this morning worrying about the heat wave and my still un-planted garden.

J- I have to get up and garden. Go back to sleep.

S- Nope, I’m getting up with you.

J- It’s a shitty job. I would love it if you’d look at my little rototiller today though- if you don’t mind.

It was fixed within the hour and I’ve been planting all day. He replaced the (extremely) bent blades on the lawn mower and helped me till in the garden. We went for a swim and he pushed my little angel around the lake on a raft while she laughed and wiggled her happy toes in the sunshine.

We drove her to her other house and dropped her off and he saw me frown.

S- I miss her too. I’m sorry I don’t know your son but I’m sure he’s as wonderful as her. Come on- no tears. Smile at me, I dare you.

He wrapped his fingers around mine and put them over the shifter- unwilling to let go of my hand and making me feel better while teaching me to drive a dreaded manual transmission.

Making me smile and making the whole world feel better in the saddest moment of my week.

J- You never have children with the intention or idea that you’ll miss half of their lives.

S- I miss her too- but we had a great week- and I’ll take you both fishing when she comes home.

We walked into a house devoid of the fabulous little red- with little signs of her everywhere and he took his shirt off to reveal quite the tan line from the wife beater he’d had on fixing the multitude- and holding his hand over his heart.

S- Jeez… there are little signs of her everywhere- I see why you’re sad when she goes!

J- You have a tan line from your cape, Superman.

I’m only half kidding- and not coming close to describing the many incredible moments of every day with this glorious man.

When I say I’m the luckiest girl on earth?

I’m not kidding.

I’m thankful to every jerk, every cheater and every single douche bag. For all the heartache, the tears, the bone crushing disappointment and the endless amount of disenchanted moments?

For Thomas Murray, the dirty old married predator, for Nathan Steinbauer, the unfaithful pathological deadbeat whore AND the Vagina Hoarder, the most disrespectful charity fuck of all.

They were all worth it to have my very own superhero… the caped crusader of my heart and the man I thank God for every day.

I’m gonna date him so hard and marry the shit out of him.

Watch.