She tried to focus on the pile of paperwork in front of but she just couldn't stop thinking about the massive milestone approaching her this weekend ...50 years... was she really half a century old. As she sat back into her chair, her pen dropping on the desk. her mind wandered as she drifted back through her life, back to her care free 20s, sobering 30s and fulfilling 40s but she just couldn't contemplate 50. In the last 10 years her life had changed massively and the years almost flew by but now she just felt old. Her youngest child would be 5 this year yet it felt like just yesterday she was born, 3 children in 6 years was a challenge but my God it was worth it. As she thought of the strech marks, the worry lines and the endless sleepless nights her mind wandered again to the man who stayed by her side through it all, her perfect husband. Her Eddie and as she thought about the man she loved a huge smile graced her features. 10 years ago she happened to accept a job in a challenging school and she imagined every scenario possible, but the one thing she didn't imagine was falling in love with someone as incredible as him and she certainly didn't imagine having a family, not at her age. As the man that graced her thoughts appeared before her she let out a giggle and crossed the floor of her office to greet him with a kiss. "Hmm good afternoon to you too Rach" he mumbled not letting their lips part and holding her close. "Not that I'm complaining but what was that for" "can't a woman kiss her husband for no reason" "yes she can but then she has to tell him what's really on her mind". "I'm just thinking... About Saturday". "Ah are you worried about getting old". "How dare you I'm not old" she giggled slapping him on the chest, "and you Mr Lawson are 4 years older than me". "That is true but unlike you I didn't panic when I hit 50". "I'm not panicking I'm just thinking she answered defensively", still not letting go of him. "Well you should stop. You are funny, kind, smart and incredibly beautiful, you're an excellent headteacher, a wonderful wife and an amazing mother and that's not going to change no matter what age you are". "Do you promise you will still mean all that when my hair turns grey and I get wrinkles" she giggled knowing exactly what his answer would be. "Oh god no I draw the line at wrinkles" he joked then stared directly in her eyes, "I promise I will love you always and forever no matter what colour your hair is or how many wrinkles you have". satisfied she placed a kiss on his lips and gently pushed him towards the door as the bell rang. "As lovely as this has been I have work to do and you have a class to teach" she delivered before parting with a kiss and gently closing the door behind her, knowing it would drive him mad. "I love you" he shouted through the door and she blushed, "I love you too" she responded, sitting at her desk with an even wider smile, knowing that whatever life threw at them they could handle it together.