Birthdays did never held significant wonder for me until I met Patrick Feren. It was as if the magic of birthdays and their significance was born anew with him coming into my life. He not only let me know how important birthdays were, but he made sure I really celebrated them. “It is the beginning of your new year,” he said, “and you better make sure you set that day exactly as you want your year to be.” Yes, Patrick Feren is the King of Birthday Celebrations in my life, and I’ve never had a so-so birthday since meeting him.

So, today is his birthday and I celebrate him. I know he is carefully planning this day, making sure he is clear about his new year. Then, he waits for the surprises. That is the child in him.

I am definitely clear about Patrick Feren’s new year. I know it is already the best year ever, just because he is in it.

For those of you who do not know Patrick, he is the wonder of a child in the beautiful mind of a man. He has most definitely brought that childlike wonder into my life. Every day, even with its ups and downs, has a through line of wonder and possibility in it. This is his gift.

I met Patrick in 1997. He came into my life close to the return of The Hale-Bopp comet. Do you remember that comet? It was time of deep contemplation and change for many of us. There was tragedy and loss, but also an anticipation of cosmic wonder. I was most definitely in a state of contemplation and change. My life was at a crossroads. I was about to give birth to the new, but was holding back, not knowing which way to turn. I was waiting for guidance and direction. I was waiting for something, but I didn’t know what. Then, I met Patrick For those of you who do not know, he was first my acting teacher, then my employer, then my friend and finally my loving partner and husband of the last 20 years.

I am grateful to be his partner in life, his wife, lover, and to call him best friend. It is amazing to be able to call your husband your best friend. That is where our relationship grew from, and it is that relationship that is the glue to our life. When we got married, we knew that we would always support each other’s dreams, and we have kept true to that. We have grown up together and constantly reveled in the changes that we go through.

Patrick is fearless, and as he has met his own dragons head on, we have all benefitted by this. Because of his authenticity and courage, we have been braver and more able to trust our own process. With his unique inner child work, he has helped many claim that lost part of themselves and heal. I am one of those people.

As Patrick gives birth to his new year. I want to wish him happy birthday today and give him a blessing from my heart. What I know about this year is that he is on the frontier of a new rite of passage. He is birthing new wonders in his life and really showing up at an even deeper level as the great giant of love that he is. I am expecting fun-filled adventures, an abundance of new creativity, more prosperity than he has ever known, and vibrant health and strength. I look forward to all the many joyful surprises of our continued loving and passionate journey.

It’s Your Birthday, Patrick! Celebrate!

Love always and forever,

Rita