Nearly two decades ago, when I worked at Burger King, I met a young boy who took me to prom when my then boyfriend wouldn't.

He was sweet and quiet and seemed to care about what I had to say.

That was 19 years ago this month. He is still sweet and quiet and for the most part cares about what I have to say.

We've been through our share of ups and downs over the decades. It was difficult when he was away at college and I was back at home working. We spent a lot of weekends together in various parts of the state of Pennsylvania.

When we first moved outside of PA, I was surprised by the homesickness I felt. He was right there, by my side, through it all.

After we were married and found out that we were expecting our first child, I was again surprised by how sick I was. I always thought I would have a large family until I realized how hard being pregnant was on my body. I threw up for many weeks. He was right there, by my side, through it all.

When I first experienced postpartum depression, he was the first to notice that I wasn't myself. I cried at TV commercials, I stayed in my PJs all day. I needed medication. He was right there, by my side, through it all.

When I decided not to return to work and to stay home with our daughter, I didn't realize how isolated and lonely I would feel. He was right there, by my side, through it all.

When I felt overwhelmed by the fact that we had three kids under five, he would immediately take over, cook dinner and handle bed time...even if he just got home from work. He was right there, by my side, through it all.

When we found out we had to more back to PA, after finally growing roots in Ohio, I was sad and not ready to leave. I was afraid of feeling all of the things I felt before--isolated, lonely, sad. But he was right there, by my side, through it all.

What I have learned is that we make a great team. We have our disagreements and sometimes we don't see eye to eye. But we agree on the important things and in the long run that's what really matters.

I don't tell him often enough how much I appreciate all that he does. Especially the little things like always emptying the kitchen garbage, putting gas in my van every time he drives it, and making dinner on the weekends.

He understands my quirks and doesn't care if my hair is green. He even turns the van around so we can rescue turtles from the middle of the road in heavy mid-afternoon traffic.

He will always be right there, by my side, through it all. And I am so very grateful.

First and foremost, I have the flu.  UGH.  I feel terrible.  The worst part of having the flu and being a mom is you can't take the day off.  You still have to get everyone ready, make food, round up lunch, figure out a way to get your son to and from preschool that doesn't involve moving from the couch. 

I went back to sleep while he was at school.  I stil don't feel better.  I caled off work.  I still don't feel better.  I had two freezepops to eat all day.  I still don't feel better.  I took pepto bismol...I still don't feel better. 

My daughter's have a half day of school today.  They will be home shortly.  Maybe one of them will get me some tylenol.  I really don't want to get off of the couch.

That is how terrible I feel.

As for things I learned this week, they are as follows:

• Getting a flu shot may actually be a good idea;
• Traveling round trip 6 hours; so you can be at your grandfather's viewing all in one day is totally worth it.  Even when you know you are starting to feel sick.
• Friends are always there when you need them; whether it's to watch your dog when they already have two of their own or to drive your son to and from preschool so you can take a nap;
• No matter how bad you feel, someone out there probably feels worse.  Count your blessings.
• My dog is good company when I don't feel well and I'm all alone.

What did you learn this week?