We watch movies like The Notebook and Twilight (yes, Twilight). We (at least I) glue ourselves to the T.V. while The Bachelor is on. Read books of love, drama and happy endings (or not). We dream and create expectations - many times unrealistic ones. We're full of hope and exasperation and stars. We're all just trying to be happy, really. And love and be loved. Me? I have found a love to call mine.

Him and I met 10 years ago. And as crazy as it sounded (way back then), well before eHarmony and match.com, we met online. Drove our parents crazy. Others wrote about us for the newspaper, for the internet, told our unbelievable story to their friends. Nowadays it is commonplace, to meet someone online. When Chris and I met, it was not. It still is not - to meet someone so far away, from Recife, Pernambuco to Minnesota... I believe it because I am here. And we did it.

And we're not perfect. We're not oblivious to the difficulties of sharing a life, a house, bills and the DVR. Sharing the chores, the decisions and hard times. But we love each other. We always have.

Yesterday we celebrated 5 years of marriage. Wood, they say. To me, it means it's weathering - beautifully, full of strength, naturally.

I have left my home, my family, my dreams. He made his home mine, his family ours and the dreams possible. And I would do it all over again.

You're the most amazing person I have ever met.

Thank you for having me as your wife.