Happy anniversary to us!

I thought I’d rerun this anniversary post another year later, updating 12 reasons my husband is right for me to 13 reasons since it’s now been 13 (mostly) wonderful years.  I was surprised to see that it had gotten 375 views!

12 13 years ago, we became husband and wife.  I remember looking forward to being able to stand outside a men’s restroom and say, “I’m just waiting for my husband.” And then not giggle like a schoolgirl.

I asked Mr. B if he’d be up to writing lists this year of 12 reasons we love each other, and being the awesome and agreeable mate that he is, he said yes.  (Being the overworked and stressed mate though, he may not have gotten to his list yet, and I’m ok with that.)

OK well this year, we didn’t do much in the way of lists or even, well, cards.  But we enjoyed our day.

(serenading me on our wedding day)

Here are 12 13 reasons I know I made the right choice 12 13 years ago.  Every day between then and now, he’s told me or shown me he cares by doing these things and so many more.

1.  He walks on the street side of the sidewalk.  He often shields me from danger or protects me from things I wouldn’t like.  That means I am in his thoughts often.

2.  He notices the little things.  Whether it’s that I moved a picture from one place to another or that I made an extra effort with my makeup, he has an eye for detail and appreciates any extra effort on my part.

3.  He gives me the last piece.  He wants to provide for me and to make me happy if he can.  He gives me the last bite of chocolate cake or dibs on our favorite chair in the living room.  It’s comical that we both are like this, so we end up saying, “You have it.” “No, you please.” “No, really, you.”

4.  He believes in me.  He thinks I am a good writer, photographer, and mother.  He supports my parenting views and he asks about my creative classes and friends.  He trusts me to pay the bills on time, drive safely, and spend wisely.  He listens to my ideas.

5.  He’s patient.  Thank goodness for that! I am impulsive by nature, so without some tempering, who knows what foolishness we would get into.  He researches (ad nauseum) cars, strollers, appliances… come to think of it, it took him what felt like a very long time to decide on me!

6.  He’s grounded.  I am in my head lots of the time and I need someone with two feet on the ground.  My balloon needs to be tethered to his string to be balanced.   However, while he’s predictable most of the time, he throws in some surprises to keep me on my toes, like the time our electricity went out while I was putting our daughter to bed and he knew exactly who to call and took care of it on his own.

7.  He’s thoughtful.  He will often text me “11:18” when it is that time because that’s our wedding date, Nov. 18.  Even though he could care less, he knows I don’t like when he leaves his coffee mug in the living room so he tries to remember to put it in the sink.  He does lots of small gestures like that that show me I’m on his mind.

8.  He thinks I’m worth it.  While he will rarely buy something for himself, he has no problem getting me or our daughter something.  He is always wanting to splurge on me or on us.

9.  He encourages me to rest.  He laughs when I tell him my to-do list for a day.  I can’t tell you how many times he’s told me to set up a spa day for myself.  I always turn him down, but I appreciate that he wants me to be pampered.  I usually go to bed right after my daughter does, eager to read my book and chill.  That means we don’t hang out much during the week, but he is happy for me to have time for my books and for sleep.

10.  He’s a super fun daddy.  He sees the joy and blessing in our daughter and in our family life.

11.  He sees us as a team.  We may be different, but we compliment each other perfectly.  We give and take as we should.

12.  He’s ok with being apart.  He is a night owl who likes to watch tv.  I’m a morning person who hasn’t watched tv in years and NEED alone time.  We have different parenting approaches, though we learn from each other all the time.  He travels often for work, but it’s nice to come back together again when he gets home from his trips.

And 13.  He listens to me.  Now more than ever, he knows not to “fix” as much as just be there and listen.  Thank goodness.  I enjoy hearing him talk about his work and what’s going on with him too.

So yes, I am blessed and I fully know it.  As we continue our adventures and walk together wherever the years may take us, I know I have the most supportive arm to lean on.