Here’s to 6 years 

Since you had your surgery 

I brought you some ice cream tonight, surely

A ritual that started those 6 years ago

That vanilla ice cream with milk, in a cup, looks like snow 

Our pup was little then 

We were younger too

You tore your ACL when we decided to go blue 

Blue belts in jiu jitsu

It was fun till that fateful Friday night 

You were working with a guy whose belt was white

All we heard on the mats was a loud shout

You felt a pop and let it out 

A much needed ligament had been torn

Life on the mats died but something else was born

You were laid up on the couch for 6 weeks

I used all my leave 

Helped you hobble to the shower 

I’m sorry I dropped your leg 

Your right quadricep lost all its power 

But your knee was huge 

Turns out we both had some ego to lose

Reminds me of when Jacob wrestled with God

We both came out stronger in the end

Hung up our belts

On the living room sofa you found yourself

For a guy going 100 miles an hour 

You didn’t let the tap out make you sour

We got life insurance and opened our 401ks

Safeguards against life’s waves

We had liquidated the health savings account 

Orthopedic surgeons aren’t cheap

I brought you your oxycodone and stool softeners 

But we made it out, you and me 

Now look at us, running hills

Paying the bills

We’ve got new hobbies with less thrills

Mid to late 30s

I still like bringing you ice cream 

That little ritual that started after your surgery

One of life’s little trials 

I was happy to have your back then 

Thanks for having mine 

I love you, babe

We both are aware that we’re dyin’

But for tonight, here, have this ice cream I made