Monday Jam: You're every love song ever written, but, honey, what do you see in me?

To quote a movie I've seen a few too many times, women are "beautiful, majestic, mysterious, mesmerizing creatures. Smart, empathetic, far superior to men in every way."

I often wonder what they see in us.

And yet, 14 years, 11 months and and 21 days ago today, I managed to get my very own beautiful, majestic, mysterious, mesmerizing creature to agree to marry me.

When I say she's my better half, I'm not joking. She's the grown-up in our house — making sure bills are paid, grocery lists are made, presents are bought for children and in at least four out of five instances, is the more patient spouse with said children.

Sure, I bring a wonderful sense of humor, loyalty, hard work and an encyclopedic knowledge of music to the relationship (and at least three of those four things are essential) but she's the glue, and I never forget that.

I love Nicole Marie (Evens) Jernagan with all my heart.

And yet this day has always been a struggle for me. I said early on in our relationship that I didn't believe in grand gestures on what I consider to be a made-up, greeting card holiday. There are 364 other days a year to show one's love.

While I still believe that, I'm also human enough to admit that I often come up short on those other 364 days.

So consider this a note of thanks to the most beautiful woman I know.

Thank you for listening to my stories over and over and over again and only occasionally complaining.

Thank you going through 66(!) hours of labor to produce two beautiful children who are, by the way, tied for being my second favorite people in the family.

Thank you for being my chauffeur, not only home from Indianapolis but also to the Daddy-Daughter Dance, when my eyes were too dilated to drive for like 10 hours.

Thank you for being patient with my hypochondriac tendencies.

Thank you for working hard every day and still coming home and being an amazing wife and mom.

Thank you for being my rock as the rest of the world seems to be spinning too fast.

Thank you for all the other things I'm forgetting as this Monday morning gets spinning again.

Thank you for being my lover and my best friend, as our song says.

I love you, Cole.