We first met in Tokyo, I was only twenty three , I was readin’ a tolstoy novel when you turned to look at me;

I was feelin’ lost and lonely, a stranger in a foreign place, but all my fears just disappeared when I first saw your face;

Those early days are hazy now, snapshots in my mind, sunrise on Mt. Fuji, a late night bicycle ride;

Hitchhiking down to Kyushu, drinkin’ asahi beers, all before we knew we’d be together twenty years.

I followed you to London, found a flat in Parsons Green, you worked while I watched Neighbors, not a good routine;

Our folks thought we were crazy and maybe they were right, unsure about our future, we had some sleepless nights.

But things they started looking up in March of ninety four when you agreed to marry me, I couldn’t ask for more;

We tied the knot out on a yacht with champagne toasts and cheers, I count that as the as the luckiest day I’ve had in twenty years.

An American drinking coffee, an English girl with her tea, we packed up and we moved again, that seemed our destiny;

Took holidays in Paris, Sicily, Barcelone, when we returned to London, it felt like we were home.

So we saved up a little money, bought a house in Halford road, had to hire a feline therapist for our crazy black cat Moe;

We drove a little rover metro, our jobs became careers, we were laying the foundation that would last us twenty years.

In 1997, I had an opportunity, but it meant you had to leave your home, you did that for me;

I dragged you to New Hampshire, then out to Ohio, it's amazing how you find your place no matter where we go.

We had a spell of tough times, hospitals, surgery, every path ahead looked dark, the light was hard to see;

but our love it grew stronger, we faced some of our worst fears, learned to ride through the ups and downs you get over 20 years.

Our life’s still a journey now, but more of the inward kind, parenthood, mortality, shaping our hearts and minds;

We’ve grown to be more patient, we’ve learned to compromise, we’re closer than we’ve ever been, we have the strongest ties.

When I look on the horizon, not too far away, I imagine new adventures and unpredictable days;

We’ve got so much more to see, and we’re bound for new frontiers, one day we’ll look back and say, that was just the first twenty years.

Now I want to thank you, and tell you that you’re looking fine, that I love to feel your arms around me, still can’t believe you’re mine.

Do you know I can’t live without you, do you know how much I care? Do you know my heart still starts racing, when I’m watching you brush your hair?

I want to make you happy, to make you feel loved each day, I’ll do everything I can, to make sure that you stay;

I don’t know what the future holds, laughter, joy or tears, but it’s plain to me, hope you’ll agree, we should try another 20 years.