Tuesday, July 19, 2011

We

These last few weeks and months I've been awesomely reminded of how incredible it is to marry your best friend even if I didn't know it at the time. Thing is? HD and I largely dated long distance, decided very quickly that we would marry. We've had some rough patches, (not surprising,) but what makes my heart sing is that every stinking day it's even more clear that we are truly made for each other and we grow stronger in that love every day and with every season. (Cue the cheesy violin music now.)

Since I'm a girl, and girl drama can follow us around like a shadow whether we want it to or not, I'm so thankful for a man who truly knows me. He listens to me and somehow gets to the crux of the situation and is willing to call bullshit. (Sometimes mine, sometimes theirs. That's ok.) I cannot tell you how helpful he has been lately when the crap is flying. He sees things pretty clearly and gives great advice.

We are (thankfully) on the same chapter of the parenting manual. We have different tactics, yes, but have the same goals. We have such symmetry when it comes to the kids that is actually comforting. He is a great example to our kids of working hard to get to where you want to be. Have I ever told you that he dropped out of high school? (He may kill me for putting that out there on the internet. Oops.) He found an industry that suits him to a T, proving that sometimes a degree from the School of Life can be just as beneficial as a degree from the University of Wherever. A lesson worth listening to in today's economy.

He stretches my mind, engages me, tests my beliefs. He listens when he doesn't know; teaches what he does, connects those in common.

This is the type of guy that you want to be the father of your daughter. He and HG have the best of relationships, can talk about anything, laugh at everything. He, through respecting her intelligence from a young age, has taught her that nothing is 'over her head,' nothing can't be tackled. He tells her she's beautiful, yes, but also engages her brain critically and values her opinion. That has taught her that she is worth more than her gorgeous figure, bright smile and engaging eyes. Much more. And that she shouldn't settle for less.

For our boys the lessons are endless. He models how to treat a woman. He models how a man is the head of the household. He is compassionate and God-fearing. When one of the boys treats me badly he tells them, "You will not treat my wife like that." He is tender and loving when they need a soft place to land. He is rugged and teaches the lessons of the land that he learned from his father: the excitement of catching a fish, the quiet lullaby of a mountain stream, and the hypnotic, reflective crackle of a campfire.

When I get tired in the evening (night owl that I am,) I am able to relax in our bed, comforted that he is next to me. I honestly never sleep better than when he is next to me. I sink in to my pillow, reach out and touch his back; a soft sigh of recognition. I often don't remember anything else until I hear him stir, before the birds even, to rise and start his day.

We.

We just are.

Headless Mom

16 comments:

Heather said...

Such a beautiful post! Love this :)

Anna Whiston-Donaldson said...

Wow! This is awesome. A super tribute to a stellar guy!

Rocks In The Wash said...

Truly a sweet testimony of your love!

Anonymous said...

Awww...Aunt HM...this is beautiful..its good to see how happy my family is. im so glad he found you..you are a great addition to this family and no one can replace you

love

HN (headless niece ;D)

As Cape Cod Turns said...

Oh that is so sweet and actually refreshing to read!!!
You are one lucky girl!

Melisa Wells said...

Aww! What a great tribute!

Sounds like you're both pretty lucky. ;)

Liz@thisfullhouse said...

Love this...ceautiful post, my friend!

Kelly said...

I agree, he's a total keeper! He treated K like she was his daughter this week and I love him (and you) for that!

Great post.,

Kelly said...

I agree, he's a total keeper! He treated K like she was his daughter this week and I love him (and you) for that!

Great post.,

Jennifer said...

You are blessed to have him.

Beautiful post.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

So beautiful. Love that you have been blessed with HD in your life.

Janah said...

I love this! It's so important to appreciate what we have, sometimes we tend to rant about what we don't have instead. Kudos and lucky you!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post....I enjoyed reading this very much. HD is one of my husband's favorite people to hang with too...Ann W

Pearl said...

Love, love this post! Having the right person to share your life with is such a gift.

headless girl :] said...

I LOVE this; it's wonderful.

I can't wait to see all of you in FIVE DAYS!

Shannon Entin said...

What a beautiful post.