In light of our recent anniversary celebration, I’ve been thinking so much about the man I married, and why I am even more crazy in love with that man today, than I was 6 years ago, when I made a promise, in front of God, our family and close friends, to spend the rest of my life by his side!
This may be more for me, than for you. But for these reasons, and so many more, I am blessed:
He honestly thinks about me and Brighton before he thinks about himself. This has been the most humbling part of being married to him, because as selfLESS as he is, I’ve learned how incredibly selfish I am. Truly, he puts my needs above his own.
He knows me! He knows exactly how to handle me when I’m stressed, or what to say to me when I’m feeling embarrassed or self-conscious. He knows what I truly love and don’t, even when I try to fake like I’m really into something. Like when I tried to act like I loved dark chocolate, but really was just pretending because I know it’s better for me and I want to like it. He knew, so he bought me a milk chocolate treat instead! He knows me, I think, better than I know myself! It really is incredible! When he anticipates a really hard day for me, he makes sure to do something special. I had no idea how hard it would be to pick up our daughter’s ashes, but he did, and made sure I had a new pair of shoes to come home to. Some days I’m just in awe of how he knows exactly what I need, or exactly what I need him to say!
He tells me how pretty I am. Looking back at old photos, at the height of my weight gain, I’m so embarrassed at my appearance, and yet, during those months, he still told me constantly that I was “hot.” I have never once had to question whether or not he was attracted to me because he’s either telling me, or he’s showing me–reaching for my hand, putting is arm around me or hand on my back, or pulling me in for a tight hug!
He makes me laugh all the time! He’s funny, that’s for sure. But we also find the same things funny–like the recent morning when this guy couldn’t figure out how to get an automatic door to open. We got a big chuckle out of that one!
He is so appreciative of everything I do! When the kitchen is clean, he thanks me for it. Last night, I’m so embarrassed to admit, but I once again had a craving for not only box macaroni and cheese, but hot dogs! (I made sure to get the ones free from crap and we had wheat buns, but still!). So dinner was crappy mac and cheese, hot dogs and canned green beans (another recent craving). And yet, he thanked me for cooking dinner! He doesn’t take any efforts I make–as insignificant as they may seem, for granted.
He is an incredible father! Wow, he is amazing with Brighton. He makes Brighton laugh like no one else can! And he’s constantly wanting to play with him. He also insists on doing bath-time and bedtime. In recent months, it’s a bit of a necessity because I am so sick, especially in the evening, but he’s been wanting to do bath/bed since the beginning! He feels that since he’s gone at work all day, he wants as much quality time with Brighton as he can before it’s bedtime. I love this! He cuddles with Brighton, sings to him, tells him constantly how much he loves him, and they’ve even developed special hand-shakes:) Watching Lee with our son, makes my heart melt! I love my husband in a whole new way since we’ve become parents.
He would rather be home with me and Brighton than anywhere else! Seriously, I have to suggest opportunities for him to get some time with his guy-friends. He likes his friends and he likes doing things, but his favorite thing is us.
He can admit when he’s wrong and apologize. Unfortunately, he’s almost never wrong. But if he is, he comes to me as soon as he realizes and apologizes profusely! This is the second most humbling thing about being married to him: I am almost always wrong (I don’t think things all the way through the way he does), and when I’m wrong, I try to explain myself instead of just saying, “I’m so sorry!” I’m the world’s worst apologizer and acceptor of actually being at fault.
He’s sensitive. He understands if my feelings are hurt, and doesn’t try to down-play that. He is also so sensitive to our daughter’s death–so much so, he chose to get her footprint tattooed on his arm. I don’t have to hide hard days, because I know he’s still grieving, too. I think we grieve differently, but the fact is, he’s so sensitive, that I don’t have to pretend I’m strong–he gets it and is sensitive to me.
He’s an incredible listener. I hate the stereo-type that men are bad listeners. My man is a better listener than I am! He actively listens to me–like gives me his full attention and really hears what I have to say. This is yet another reason why being married to Lee is so humbling!
He’s a great gift-giver! Because he’s such an incredible listener, he gives the best gifts. He knows exactly what I’m going to love, even if I don’t! This gives me a lot of pressure, because he’s honestly a better gift-giver than I am! I think that’s because he’s a better listener than I am!
He doesn’t really care to watch sports. He gets the rules of the games, and if it’s a big one, or involves the Seahawks or Boise State, we might watch, but it doesn’t rule our lives. If it’s a nice winter day, then we’ll be outside snowshoeing rather than inside watching a game. But if we’re invited to a football party, we can get into it and have a blast! I just love, though, that our lives don’t have to be run by what game is on.
He is so good to me! He always leaves a card or note for each night he’s going to be away from me. He’s extremely romantic–planning an incredible 5 year Anniversary Celebration in Spokane last year! Complete with a stay at the Davenport Hotel–where we used to dream of one day staying! He’ll suggest picking up my favorite foods when I’m pregnant so I don’t have to always be cooking while I’m so sick. He’s just so, so good to me!
If you would have asked me on my wedding day, why I was so in love with Lee and was sure I wanted to marry him, I doubt the above reasons would have been on my list. I might have mentioned his humor, but even I didn’t realize at the time, just how funny the day-to-day of life would be and how much more Lee and I would end up laughing together. I’m sure I would have mentioned something about him being romantic, but I had no idea how romance would translate into the everyday life and that it would be an even more amazing transition to just, “he’s so good to me.” The reason I am so blessed today, is because of how much we have grown together, and how much of a good man he has proved to be. For all the listed reasons, and so much more I discover, daily, I love Lee! And because of my unfortunate perspective, of knowing how truly fragile this life is, I will not take him for granted! I know how blessed I am!