Happy Birthday Brian!

When Brian and I were in premarital counseling one of our assignments was to write down 15 reasons why we love the other person.  The idea being that people get married because they "love" the other person but that love is seldom defined.  When you have to write down 15 reasons why you love someone you have to delve a little deeper and really examine your relationship - you get past all the "he's so hot" kinds of responses.


So here Brian and I are 13 years later.  I don't even have those original papers.  I wish I did but they're probably in a file somewhere with our old pastor or have been destroyed.  Sigh.  So I thought as a tribute to Brian (for his birthday) I would come up with a new list.  A list of things I love about Brian that I didn't know about before we got married, that I couldn't have known about.  And while they may seem small or trite, if you read into them a little...you'll understand why they're huge to me.

1. Everytime I cook supper he says, "thanks for supper." 
2. He cries when he tries to sing certain hymns or songs.
3. He knows that I love McDonald's filet-o-fish, he doesn't judge me for it, and he always, without question, orders it just the way I like it: no cheese, extra tartar sauce.
4. He always runs to the store for me to pick up grocery items I need for whatever I'm making.  And he usually doesn't fuss.
5. He leaves the radio playing in the car whenever he runs into the store and I stay there.
6. He ALWAYS helps me clean and cook and get ready for company or big events like the piano recital I hold for my students without question.
7. He has supported me in all my major career decisions since we've been married: from going to back to college to beginning a ministry position, to resigning that position.  He doesn't question, he just supports.
8. He aims one of the air conditioning vents in the car on the back seat when Reggie rides with us.
9. He still gives me a kiss and tells me he loves me every morning...even though much of the time I'm too asleep to be aware of it.
10. He enjoys being in the kitchen with me while we cook up a feast.
11. He still laughs at all my hijinks.
12. He never gets mad about or questions how I spend our money.
13. He makes our vacations as much of a priority as I do and trusts my planning.  And I rarely have to touch a piece of luggage while on vacation...nor do I ever have to pack the car.
14. He loves to nap every bit as much as I do.
15. After thirteen years together, he still loves to be at home with me and values quality time.

I could probalby come up with another 15.  But what I'm trying to say is: basically, he's really easy to live with and he's really easy to love.  I'm one lucky gal.

Happy Birthday Brian!  I love you!