On the other 354 days of the year, however, I'm thankful for my sterile, stuffy office building.
During the coldest weeks of winter, Mark bundles up so much that I'm not sure how he moves, much less drives a truck or a forklift. But the real way he keeps warm is by growing an enormous beard on his face.
It used to be contained to a ridiculous goatee that I begged him to trim and not play with. But two years ago, the goatee grew.
And took over his entire face.
Considering the brutal Midwestern cold (Hush up, northern neighbors. It feels cold to us!) and my indoor job and the paycheck he brings home, I finally realized that I should not complain.
After all, if I'd learned nothing in the 8 years before, it was that complaining about Mark's facial hair was futile.
But just like tulips and ragweed and groundhog sightings whisper that spring is on its way, so does the disappearance of Mark's beard.
And that special day? It was last Friday. Thank you, Lord.
What does the first sign of spring at your house look like?
