My Dearest Jane:

Here we are celebrating 40 years of marriage and I wanted to state publicly just how wonderful you have been as my wife and to thank you for loving me all of these years.  You have made my life infinitely better and have always been there for me and our entire family in both good and bad times. Thank you for our wonderful children which of course ultimately led to our precious grandchildren.

It is not an understatement to say I wouldn’t have made it without you when I was so sick several years ago.  Your love has sustained me over all of these years.  Knowing that I can always count on you to be there has been most comforting during our life together.  It may not be romantic, but your impeccable character has also been so important to making my life and our world a better place.

I love you more than you’ll ever know and just wanted to let you know just how much you mean to me.  Hopefully, I can return to you at least some of the love and caring you have shown to me during all of our years together.  Jane, I love you and look forward to many more years together.  You are simply the best!

Love, Allen