40 Things I Love About You

My dearest husband celebrated a big birthday this past month.

As my beloved moves beyond his big birthday I hope and pray that he will be freed to live deeply in the moment and enjoy the blessings of his new season. I hope that he will see himself clearly for the incredibly talented, creative, and faithful man that he is. So, this blog entry is dedicated to the man that I love and cannot imagine my life without.

LK, here are 40 things, large and small, that I love about you...

1. Fifteen years ago you were absolutely sure that I was "the One" when I was lost in doubt and fear - and you have remaind rock solid since then.
2. You have always known that a hug and a shoulder to cry on help in dealing with hurt more than any words of sympathy.
3. You put aside your own desires when someone else has a need.
4. You develop an interest in the things that matter to other people around you - even if it is silly shoes that are completely useless for where we live.
5. You care enough about other people to remember the little things, like their favourite snacks or movie.
6. On Saturday mornings where our early bird is up a 5 a.m., you get up with him and let me sleep.
7. You remember birthdays.
8. You remember anniversaries.
9. You bring dark chocolate home from town faithfully.
10. You make sure we all have a nutritious breakfast every day, and get up early to make eggs and toast during the week.
11. You faithfully cook yummy dinners that are the highlight of my day.
12. You sit through Barbie and Tinkerbell movies with your little girl without complaint.
13. You sit through Project Runway with your wife without complaint.
14. You know when the next Project Runway season is being released and order it for me as a surprise.
15. You shovel a rink for your family when you don't have skates to use it yourself.
16. You shovel our neighbours' driveways every time it snows, because that's the kind of guy you are.
17. You are brave enough to go on the adventure of our lives; even though it meant leaping, rather than stepping, out of our comfort zone.
18. You are brave enough to start a new career from scratch because you are needed. And you are amazing to watch as you spread your wings and show great talent in yet another skills set.
19. You are brave enough to let go of old dreams that you have grown beyond.
20. You encourage me to have social time with others, even when you don't need it for yourself, and don't complain about staying home with the little people.
21. You listen and listen and listen to my worries and concerns. And then you listen some more.
22. You make my knees weak still, after almost 14 years.
23. You make heart-soothing music, soul-nourishing food, and eye-pleasing pictures.
24. You know exactly what makes me hot and bothered, and are shameless about getting me hot and bothered.
25. You get down on the floor and play with your kids, even when you are tired and want to hide behond a book.
26. You share your chips with the rest of the family - even when they are your special treat.
27. You encourage, and encourage, and encourage.
28. You teach out of your love of learning; our kids, me, and your students.
29. Your hands; strong enough to play a tracker organ and gentle enough to dry tears.
30. Your hugs, which are always freely given.
31. Your interest in books and stories and the world of imagination.
32. Your eye for beauty in the world around you.
33. Your photos. They inspire me to see the world differently.
34. Your music. There is no finer accompanist on earth.
35. Your ability to craft mood and tone through music and text and images.
36. You encourage me to go ahead and let it out when I am mad-as-hell and frustrated at the world. And you don't laugh when I wind down and just sound silly and complainy.
37. You usually have the best-interests of those you love in mind rather than the best-interests of yourself.
38. You notice every move in the right direction and encourage me to keep at it.
39. You get down on the floor and play LEGO with your kids.
40. You do laundry and dishes.

I could go on and on... but I only allowed myself 40 this time.

You are God's greatest relationship gift to me, other than my relationship with Him. Thank you for being the One for the past 15 years.

I love you, LK.