12 Months

So... today is the one year anniversary of the day that my significant other and I became an official couple. I don't know if it's silly to celebrate anniversaries, I feel kind of silly, but I also look at it as a sort of accomplishment. These last 12 months have been filled with lots of ups and a few low downs, and at times I didn't think it would be possible to make it as far as we have. I want to take this time to celebrate 12 of the best qualities of my man :) maybe I'll even show him this blog one day!

1. Your honesty. I have never known a man to be as honest and trustworthy as you are. I thank God for placing that quality in you!

2. Your love for your children. I don't think there is anything more attractive than a man who loves, cares for, and provides for his children. I am lucky that I get to see you with them as much as I do. I have never known a man to care for his kids the way you do, and certainly not someone your age.

3. Your willingness to help others. You amaze me sometimes with the way you care about other people, and your willingness to do whatever you can to help them accomplish what they need to.

4. Your intelligence. You are constantly keeping me on my feet. I appreciate that, as the Bible says, "Iron sharpens Iron".

5. Your ability and willingness to trust God. I know that when I go to you for advice, you will tell me what you think, but ultimately you will tell me that God will always have my back. You've kept me grounded more than you know in this past year. I may not always like what you have to say, but I respect the fact that you know the Lord and that you lead me to Him like you do.

6. The way you love your family. We of all people know that families are not perfect. They are all messy and they sometimes fail us. I love the way you interact with your family, even after they've hurt you or let you down in some way.

7. Your smile. I absolutely adore your smile. It's so genuine and I love how it makes you light up.

8. Your passion for life. I can be so complacent in life sometimes, and you really push me to do what I'm made to do - to be more. You never look at anything like it is too big, and you make sure I know that it's not too big for me either.

9. Your cooking. This is probably the most superficial quality I love about you, but hey, you're an amazing cook. I literally cannot think of ONE thing you've made me in the past year that I didn't love. And I know I sometimes use the word love too loosely, but I really mean LOVE when I say this.

10. The way you motivate. You are always making me feel like I can accomplish more than I would aim for if it were up to me. You have more faith in me than I do in myself and that's the best motivator I can think of. I appreciate that more than you know.

11. The peace you bring. I'm a natural worrier. You are not. I love that! When I'm frantic and freaked out about something, you bring me back down to earth and let me know that God is always in control, not me. It's a great balance that you bring to my life.

12. You are so easy to talk to! I love that we can talk for three hours at a time and it seems like no time at all. I love that I hate to hang up the phone at night even though we've been talking for hours because I could literally talk to you all night long. It doesn't have to be about anything important, but it can be about the most important thing in the world. And you don't care if I cry! I love that. Thank you!

So thankful for these 12 months. I have learned so much about myself and so much about love and relationships that I would never have figured out on my own. I wouldn't have wanted to spend them with anyone else.