Labels: anniversary, married life
When I say "Love"- what do you think of?
My first instinct is to think of elementary school Valentine's day parties. (No clue why) Which always reminds me of construction paper flowers, red and pink paper hearts and paper doilys. I remember carrying home those Valentine treasures- struggling to hold my umbrella to protect them from the rain and blowing my breath carefully and furiously to keep snowflakes from melting on the covers. I remember carefully written magic marker messages, dripping and streaking. I remember rain drops making tie-dye patterns in my hard work. I remember tears. I remember them placed lovingly on the fridge- raindrops and all. I remember elementary and parental Love.
I remember Jr High love. The drama the pain. The ridiculous thoughts and the stupid plans. I remember notes passed. I remember check boxes: "Do you like me? Check here for "Yes"- check here for "No"...." I remember insecurity... And I remember enjoying it all.
I remember love at 16 years old. It was hearts and flowers and palpitations and REALLY bad poetry. (Not just mine) It was stolen kisses and planning dates. It was going WAY out of my way between classes so I MIGHT get to see him....It was car dates and prom gowns. It was wonderful.
I remember love at 20 years old- it was getting ready for a wedding. It was flowers and cake and planning and dreaming. It was royal blue frosting up a nose on a honey moon drive. It was a walk on the beach then listening to the ocean on our honeymoon bed. It was wonderful.
I remember love at 21 years old- It was pregnancy and bedrest and struggles and laundry in piles...It was tears and fear and sharing them all. It was day dreaming together of what kind of parents we'd be. It was wonderful.
I remember love at 31. It was wedding vows renewed. Another gown, another cake....a (badly) sung song... it was our two son's standing beside us- our friends gathered- it was wonderful.
I remember love at 33- it was a surprise pregnancy, that changed our family and grew our love for each other. It was shuttling middleschoolers and throwing up before breakfast- a washcloth handed to me to wipe my face. It was hands held during appointments with genetic counselors, it was worshipping together and knowing God was with us. It was wonderful.
Oh sure. I remember wanting to kill each other. I remember praying God would change each of us. I remember consciously thinking... "God- I love him.. but I just don't like him, please help me!" I remember being convinced he was thinking the same. I remember yesterday, when I yelled about laundry and mud left on the floor. I remember the hurts I've caused, and the hurts I've felt.
To be honest- the love we have now- barely resembles what we had then. It is as alike as a paper Valentine and a beating heart. A paper valentine is fragile and pretty- but doesn't weather storms. It wilts- the words written on it seem to waver when hit buy rain drops. A paper Valentine is about impression and expression- it's pretty and begins love.... but doesn't endure.
Now- I know love at 39. After 19 years - our love is less Valentines day and more living beating heart. It is sometimes bloody messy. But it is beating - fast and furious. When the pressure is on, and the race is hard- this love beats harder. This love becomes stronger in the training and struggle. This love endures. It doesn't wilt, drip or run.
Sure- today- as we celebrate 19 years of marriage, there will be pretty cards with ink that runs. There will be starry (somewhat wrinkled) eyes and nostalgic talk. But more than that- in the background.... there will the constant beating of a real, live heart.
Our love- no longer paper and doilys- but growing and living.
Happy Anniversary Honey- I love you- even more than I did.
And yes- I'd marry you again. And again. And again.
Even if you're a dufus and I'm a dork.
Labels: happy birthday, husband, married life
Happy Birthday!
1) His birthday: October 7, 1966
2) He asked me to "go with him" at 10:22 p.m May 22, 1985. On the phone.
3) He is the best Dad I have ever met.
4) He makes people laugh.
5) He is incredibly intelligent.
6) He is gifted in connecting with people.
7) He can cry in a manly way.
8) Watching him worship makes me want to worship God with more abandon. (Yeah- maybe I would if I wasn't watchin my man;)
9) He's got legs;)
10) He likes me. (Sometimes I truly wonder why!)
11) He likes his kids. (I don't wonder why bout this one;)
12) He talks to me about his work....like I can understand it. (which helps me get it;)
13) He has a quick sense of humor. Lightening speed, actually. You never know when a zinger is coming.
14) He had spinal meningitis as a young child. (remembers the spinal tap... poor thing)
15) Has overcome incredible odds with God's help.
16) Used to be afraid to fly. (Like, we drove to FLA on our honeymoon afraid) He's not anymore. Can you say frequent flyer?
17) He's a man of courage. (defined as: one who does not experience the absense of fear, but moves forward in it's presense.)
18) He introduced me to Jesus.
19) He hunts deer. (mostly I still think "ewe" about that... but- it is a "man thing" and is an awesome opportunity for my guys to connect....and give me a bit of "quiet time" ;)
20) He likes our bad beagle.... but doesn't admit it often.
21) He used to hate cats. He likes ours.
22) He is a man who can listen.
23) And talk. About anything.
24) He "bought" 2 robes form our honeymoon hotel.... (in Disney world.. for one night) he wore the original for 17 years. And still has it's threadbare self folded up in the hope chest with my wedding gown.
25) He married me twice. (renewed our vows)
26) He's taken me to many of the countries on my "to visit before I croak" list.
27) He gets up early with my highschoolers. Sometimes makes them eggs for breakfast.
28) He's the kind of guy who will go to the store at 10:00 p.m. for baked goods to calm a craving... whether you're pregnant, or NOT.
29) He's also the kind of guy who will buy you a present no huge reason- but if you're pregnant- it might be a huge pink t-shirt with elephants on it. He will swear he thought they were bears. He will never buy you elephant themed paraphernalia whether you're pregnant, or not.
30) Every year he'll drive you to the airport at "too early o clock in the morning, so you can attend MOPS Convention... then he'll return home to keep the kids and pets from killing each other and destroying the house for 5 days......
31) He will come to understand and even appreciate your "thing" for cameras and photography.
32) He won't gripe about the additional "thing" for knitting... but may not understand it.
33) He love hand knit slippers. (fiber trends clogs...these make knitting acceptable)
34) He thinks I'm a hottie... even at 900 months pregnant with son #3.
35) He loves summer and a/c.
36) He loves home made potato soup and grilled cheese.
37) He is a classic meat n potatos kind of guy. (Don't send him to the grocery store- he'll arrive home with pounds of meat- but nothing to go with it;)
38) He can do a "walk-thru" of a computer problem via the phone- and even solve it.
39) He married me on: October 15, 1988.
40) He can think both "inside" and "outside" the box when needed.
41) He is the best, most loving, most fantabulous, incredible, men evah.
Happy Birthday Husband! I love you!
