Veda is perhaps the most complicated women I've ever known. Yes, I know, all women are "complicated", but Veda is extra complicated because she acts so atypically female for 90% of the time. To be able to live with Veda means knowing how to manage that remaining 10%.

Veda loves synonyms. Of course, in her mind they are completely different words with completely different meanings - like Golden Rod, Saffron, Canary, and Paella all being completely different from Yellow. A funny example of this goes back to when we first met. She explained how she was never "jealous", but she did get "concerned". Anyway, around our house we call this the "synonym game" and it gets played more often that I would like it to be. One time when I really hate playing it is when we have "cajun" style food (it *isn't* burned, just blackened).

Normal things that are confusing to women are also confusing to Veda - math, calendars, parking, computers, etc. But the one thing that she can't manage to grasp, which always baffles me, is telling time on a non-digital watch. And, even more confusing is that while she knows she can only tell time on a digital watch, she refuses to wear one. The moral here is that is you see Veda wearing a watch either ignore her or be prepared to be very late or very early.

Veda has a strong personality. This is one of my favorite things about her. She is extremely confident and can handle virtually any situation without help from anyone. Veda is also one of the most creative people I've ever met - and that isn't a compliment I throw around lightly. When it comes to party and event planning, no one can touch her. But it doesn't stop there - she's creative in other areas. Accounting, for example. The ways she explains how all of the money she just got went to the kids and not to her and that is why she needs more...priceless.

One interesting fact about Veda - which I didn't know for 18 years, is that she doesn't like the sound of her voice. This blows my mind because a) she is *always* talking and b) she always records greetings on our voice mail. Another interesting fact is that she never eats the edges of food - even pancakes. And for the last fact...unlike most people who can drink water after brushing their teeth, but the thought of drinking orange juice is disgusting, Veda is the reverse. Back a citrus grove into her mouth when she is done brushing, but keep the water away.

Veda is the perfect wife for me. She is strong in areas where I am weak. She builds me up and makes me a better person. It sounds corny, but she is the yin to my yang.