 | Eighteen years ago today we said "I DO"! We have been together just over half my life and married almost as long now. Though my love for you has always been steadfast it seems to get harder and harder to find ways to show you how much of my heart you really have. I have pined for days and weeks over a gift that would show you just that. My practical yet creative nature posed yet an even bigger challenge. Is there an earthly "thing" that can truly pay tribute to the years we have spent together? |
This years lifestyle changes through homeschooling has brought so many new perspectives to my life, including finding more joy in simplicity of life. The desire for "stuff" is less important than it used to be. Really, this was your view all along; never asking for anything and unselfishly giving of yourself every minute of the day (although I don't always see it that way). Each holiday or special event I ask, "Babe, what do you want?" The answer always the same, "Nothing" .
But, the question still stands......
How do I celebrate our many years together?
How do I honor the love we've shared?
How do I tell you and show you how much you mean to me?
Though the fanciest strung words cannot come close to bringing light to these questions, I am going to attempt to try! Words that are often unspoken, but deeply felt. Words that are often obscured by complaints or criticisms but reexamined as the very things I admire and respect.
But, the question still stands......
How do I celebrate our many years together?
How do I honor the love we've shared?
How do I tell you and show you how much you mean to me?
Though the fanciest strung words cannot come close to bringing light to these questions, I am going to attempt to try! Words that are often unspoken, but deeply felt. Words that are often obscured by complaints or criticisms but reexamined as the very things I admire and respect.
The Things I hate to love about you
Complaint: You are always working/helping someone else.
Truth: You are the hardest working man I know (only toe to toe with your 80 year old dad). You hardly ever stop. Even having what could be a debilitating autoimmune disease, you keep going, often not even saying how much it hurts or how uncomfortable you are. Your heart is to provide for us (your family) as God designed you to do. Though it feels like you're "always working", you still find time and energy to cook dinners, read with our children, help with bathing, bedtime, and so much more. You are undeniably an amazing husband and father! This goes unsaid too often. And, it does not stop there. Your heart is also to help others. You do so regularly, without expectations of compensation or return favors. You simply do it to help others using the innumerable skills and gifts God gave you. I love that you work hard, are obedient to God, and have a heart to help others.
Truth: You are the hardest working man I know (only toe to toe with your 80 year old dad). You hardly ever stop. Even having what could be a debilitating autoimmune disease, you keep going, often not even saying how much it hurts or how uncomfortable you are. Your heart is to provide for us (your family) as God designed you to do. Though it feels like you're "always working", you still find time and energy to cook dinners, read with our children, help with bathing, bedtime, and so much more. You are undeniably an amazing husband and father! This goes unsaid too often. And, it does not stop there. Your heart is also to help others. You do so regularly, without expectations of compensation or return favors. You simply do it to help others using the innumerable skills and gifts God gave you. I love that you work hard, are obedient to God, and have a heart to help others.
Complaint:How are you so "perfect" at everything? And why do you always want to take over /take charge of things?
Truth: The answer to this is deeply rooted in the above truth. You have an insatiable drive to learn all that you can to be able to do things for yourself (not having to rely on the skills of others). However, I also see that you are incredibly gifted with your hands. God has blessed you with abilities to learn and execute many trades and accomplish them well. I have seen you work your way through your career, earn the respect of many, and become a strong leader in the process. You have an extraordinary gift for leadership with an ability to keep peace between conflicting parties. And though these gifts seem to translate as "taking over" often times at home, I also respect the incredible leader that you are. You are diligent in doing your job well at work and at home. I repeatedly neglect to see that you are only trying to help out at home and take some of my load. I am so grateful for the skills that you have and how it has saved us time and money in the practical areas of our life. Though it may seem you are "perfect" at nearly everything, I know, the truth behind that "perfection" is your hard work and drive to accomplish things completely. You are my MR. AWESOME!
Truth: The answer to this is deeply rooted in the above truth. You have an insatiable drive to learn all that you can to be able to do things for yourself (not having to rely on the skills of others). However, I also see that you are incredibly gifted with your hands. God has blessed you with abilities to learn and execute many trades and accomplish them well. I have seen you work your way through your career, earn the respect of many, and become a strong leader in the process. You have an extraordinary gift for leadership with an ability to keep peace between conflicting parties. And though these gifts seem to translate as "taking over" often times at home, I also respect the incredible leader that you are. You are diligent in doing your job well at work and at home. I repeatedly neglect to see that you are only trying to help out at home and take some of my load. I am so grateful for the skills that you have and how it has saved us time and money in the practical areas of our life. Though it may seem you are "perfect" at nearly everything, I know, the truth behind that "perfection" is your hard work and drive to accomplish things completely. You are my MR. AWESOME!
Complaint: You are not supportive of my interests and passions.
Truth: You ARE my biggest fan!
I am a dreamer and my creative brain has taken over more times than I can count. Though you have allowed me to follow many of my crazy ideas, your intuition keeps me balanced. When I am trusting and follow my heart you are practical and see when things are just not right. Over and over you have had to pick up the pieces in my failures and disappointments but, you have been my #1 supporter in my greatest accomplishments. Thank you for being my cornerstone, pillar of strength, stability and countenance when few others seem to be. You ARE my biggest Fan!
Truth: You ARE my biggest fan!
I am a dreamer and my creative brain has taken over more times than I can count. Though you have allowed me to follow many of my crazy ideas, your intuition keeps me balanced. When I am trusting and follow my heart you are practical and see when things are just not right. Over and over you have had to pick up the pieces in my failures and disappointments but, you have been my #1 supporter in my greatest accomplishments. Thank you for being my cornerstone, pillar of strength, stability and countenance when few others seem to be. You ARE my biggest Fan!
Complaint: We are too close to your family! Lack of privacy is an issue. Your family always seems to need you.
Truth: Though my complaints seem valid at times, so many blessing have come form living close to family. You value your family and I admire that greatly. The relationships you have with your family and the time we are able to spend with them is something to be treasured. This is a trait and privileged that we have been able to pass on to our children. This beautiful place that we call home, our "creek life" is a place filled with memories; from our first date, to our wedding day, to our daily lives today with our children. We have rich heritage here on the creek! I am beyond blessed to be a MacGregor!
Truth: Though my complaints seem valid at times, so many blessing have come form living close to family. You value your family and I admire that greatly. The relationships you have with your family and the time we are able to spend with them is something to be treasured. This is a trait and privileged that we have been able to pass on to our children. This beautiful place that we call home, our "creek life" is a place filled with memories; from our first date, to our wedding day, to our daily lives today with our children. We have rich heritage here on the creek! I am beyond blessed to be a MacGregor!
There are so many more things still left unsaid but I hope the one thing that is never overlooked or forgotten is this:
"My beloved is mine, and I am his;" Song of Solomon 2:16
Happy Anniversary, I love you, Mr. Awesome!
Love Your Favorite Wife
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