I celebrated over thirty of my husband's birthday's with him, and I'm having difficulty remembering more than a couple of them.

The first one I recall was either the first or second one after we started dating. I was a student at the local college and he was a day release student there. It just so happened that that year his birthday fell on his college day and he called round for me on his way to the college. I leaned out of my bedroom window and threw my front door key down to him. I think he liked what he saw when he came upstairs and into my room. His present was tied in blue ribbon. It was me! The ribbon barely covered my modesty, and was soon untied and the present enjoyed. Twice. Then off to college.

The other one I remember was the last one - his sixtieth. A couple of friends from work organised a surprise party for him. The look on his face when he realised that all those people had come to celebrate his birthday with him - it was absolutely beautiful. I don't know how many people there were - at least a hundred, maybe one hundred and fifty. The large room was packed. There were family and friends from work and football and other friends. I so enjoyed seeing him with these people because it was quite obvious that they really thought a lot of him. He was a much loved man.

The third birthday celebration that was significant was the one on which our second child was conceived. I can't actually remember it since all birthdays were celebrated with carnal knowledge and a meal out - not necessarily in that order. I'm striving to remember other birthdays, but tonight I can't. I can't even remember what presents I gave him - other than myself.