ten years

Bran and I have now been married for a whopping ten years.  Yeah, I know some of you might be thinking, 'Oh honey, that's nothing, I've been married for ___ many years.'  And to that I say, 'Shush, don't ruin it for me.'  ...And don't call me "honey."  I'm excited about ten, and I'm pretty sure I've been mentioning it as much as possible lately.  I know it makes us sound old, as pointed out by some of our youth, but I kind of even like that.  To me, it feels like a good old.  So, to you, babe, my top ten favorite reasons to love you (in no particular order):

1. You make really cute kids. (had to put that one in there)  ;)

2. You work so hard (without complaining) so that I can stay home and have fun with those cute kids.  Even when I don't love my days, I love my days, and am so thankful I'm able to be the one here for morning walks, after-nap snuggles, band-aid applications, booger wipes, play dates, books and puzzle helps, and whatever raising our kids includes.  You make that possible.

3. You have the best, hearty laugh (I love that Benny got that from you).  I think that's why comedies have become my favorite movies.  You make them funnier.  I love that your laugh is louder than everyone else's.

4. You value living simply. You don't care that we drive junker cars (you drive whatever's the junkiest). You don't care that when we get to go shopping 90% of it goes to the kids. You don't care that it took 9.5 yrs to upgrade from a full-size bed. You don't care that we don't have cable and we don't have internet on our phones (well, you might care but you don't complain).

5. You are forgiving.  You teach me to be more forgiving, especially in ministry- like when I know that you've been wronged and I feel the need to contact some of my rough Italian relatives.  ;)  You just forgive and don't look back.  ...usually takes me a little longer.

6. Whenever you're really into what someone's saying, you move your lips as if you're saying the same words as them.  I don't know why you do this and it makes me giggle.  I might make fun of you for it, but it's a cute quirk of yours that makes you you.  Plus, I know when you're really interested in what I'm saying.  :)

7. You are quietly generous.  You hear of a need and find a way to help without publicizing it.  That's your style with just about everything.  You do things because you feel compelled to, and not everything ends up on your facebook newsfeed.

8. You are thoughtful.  You make me coffee during the week and put it on my nightstand before I even get out of bed (thank you, Bryan Presher for the idea).  You get up with the boys and let me sleep in many Saturday mornings when you know I'm beat (even though you are too).  You run to the grocery when I need something last-minute and often call before you leave work to see if we need anything.  That's reminds me, I am a terrible meal-planner.

9. You make simple, insignificant things I do, like cooking or sewing, seem like a big deal.  It makes me feel really good when I overhear you talking about it to other people.

10. Each year you become a stronger, wiser, more Christ-like leader to our family.  Oh, and you look hot while doing it.

Here's to ten years. Cheers.  <3