Dear Brian,
Last year, on your 50th birthday, this picture was taken of our project:
*Today, on your 51st birthday, these pictures were taken of our project:
*
*Neither of us expected that our project would still be a work in progress after a full year.
However, I truly believe that in another year, we WILL live in our project, our completed project.
We will awake on the 3rd floor each morning when the sun streams into the big, bedroom window.
We will slink out of bed and walk across the radiant floor for a morning shower.
We will sip coffee on the rooftop deck as we read the morning paper.
We will watch Jeopardy after work in the 2nd floor TV room.
We will prep and cook and grab a beer from the street-facing kitchen.
We will entertain in the double-height dining room space and onto the backyard deck.
We will retire to read before bed in front of the living room fireplace.
Neither of us expected that our project would take so long to complete.
This whole past year, you were architect, designer, project manager, quality controller, lawyer, bank negotiator, tour-guide, dad, and calm husband. Soon, we WILL inhabit 5218 N 12th Street.
Happy Birthday!
Love,
Sally
* photos from http://www.whiteouthouse.tumblr.com
Writing Stories by Sally 
This is such a touching look into real life! You both deserve the best this project has to offer!
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A project worth waiting for. Wishing you a speedy end. What a Renaissance man your husband is.
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