Three years and counting...

Today marks three years of our journey of marriage together. This past year has been amazing and truly idealistic. I know that I will not be able to say that every year so this year I am going to celebrate what a positive year it has been! Joel is the man I dreamed of marrying.. I don't know if I can actually say that. I could never really imagine what being married to someone would be like and even though I had a list (yes, i had an actual list!) of a million qualities I wanted in a husband I didn't really know what I wanted in a marriage. A list of qualities does not make a good husband or a good marriage. Once I met Joel, though, I don't really think I ever checked him against my list...I just knew that regardless of if he possessed every quality I was looking for he was the man who I would spend the rest of my life with. Now that three years of marriage have passed I have truly learned what I want in a husband and marriage...Joel has taught me that. He is my worldly everything, and I hope that I am his. It isn't the list of qualities that make him a fabulous husband...


It is those strong hands that hold on to mine as we pray. 

It is when he says I look adorable as I sit across from him in the living room in my sweats and my hair in a messy ponytail.

It is that he complements my weaknesses and organizes the cupboards.

It is how he holds our son in his arms, and the look he has in his eyes as a tear streams down his face.

It is the way he is intimate with me.

It is the laughter that bellows from deep within me when I am with him. Laughs that have been waiting for the right comedian to make them come out. 

It is the fact that when I say I am not in a good mood and maybe we should take a little break from talking to each other he listens and jokes about my bad mood later in the day.

It is a man who works harder than anyone I have ever met to be the best teacher he can be.

It is the man who on a day when I express I am overwhelmed with everything there is to do he suggests getting take-out for dinner.

It is the man who goes to bed with me at the same time every night so we can cuddle and chat and be the last person we see before we fall asleep.

It is being there for each other to listen to stories about our days.

It is still cuddling on the couch as we watch TV. 

It is the man who I share all of my secrets with and I know I can trust him to keep them to himself.

It is the man who shares in daily life with me and brings so much joy to our family.

I love you so much Joel and pray for many more years of life together...for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, through laughter and tears...no matter what life brings us I know experiencing it with you by my side will make every day an adventure!