18 Years & Counting!!

This June, Brian and I celebrated our 18th Wedding Anniversary.  We were married June 26, 1993 in Renton, Washington, in a very full church, with around 400 of our closest friends.  Brian and I both grew up in the area and our parents both knew a slew of people, so we were blessed to have a LOT of people attend our wedding!  Our lives together have not been what we thought they'd be when we first said "I do".  At times, drastically different and even frustrating. Yet, through it all we can see the hand of the Lord guiding us and blessing us beyond measure.

  And so, without further ado...

The Top 10 Reasons WHY?  I  Love Brian...  

(in no particular order)

Reason #1 -- He makes me laugh!!  

                      This photo was taken at a park where we went to see some old growth trees.  When we were downtown in Cincy we saw some ridiculous looking pictures in the windows of Macy's, they were advertising cologne...they were supposed to look alluring or something...If you wear this cologne and have this stupid look on your face women will flock to you.  Anyway, we were goofing around and Brian was imitating one of the photos when I handily snapped this photo.   Funny stuff.  

# 2 - He loves our children - I love watching him just walk along and listen to the kids ramble on.  It may seem meaningless, but it makes them feel so important.  Too many Dads these days belittle there kids or just want them to leave them to their "man cave" or whatever.  I'm thankful that is not the case here.

Reason #3 - He Graduated with Honors - Working 2 jobs, attending classes, and juggling a family of 7 is no small task.  I'm thankful that he set to accomplish his goal and to do it well.


Reason #4 - He's not afraid to wear a hat that isn't a ball cap.  Underneath that stylin' hat is one very shaved bald head.  It takes a real man to stray from the traditional ball cap to keep the sunburned scalp at bay.  

Reason #5 - He makes our Anniversary Special - Out of the last 18 years, I don't think there has been one time that Brian hasn't made some sort of plans for our anniversary.  Sometimes it was a special dinner out, sometimes an overnight or weekend.  He always spoils  me.

Reason # 5 - He likes to take us on outings.  We love to be outside on an "explore".  Just checking out a new park that we found out or walking downtown by the river.  

Reason # 6 - He's a Handsome Fella!  He was smart enough to shave his head when his hair got the peninsula look to it.  Nope, no comb over happenin' around here!  And just look!!  ....okay, not too close or long...he's mine!

 Reason # 7 - He always smiles in a goofy way when I take his picture.   Why?  I don't know.  He tries too hard to have a "smile", I guess.  One of these days I'll catch him in his normal relaxed, happy smile.  Really honey, its not supposed to be this hard!

Reason # 8 - He takes me to IKEA and he doesn't grumble and sigh through the whole store.

I mean really, its a rare and precious thing when you can say that your husband actually LIKES going shopping with you.  Hurray!

Reason # 9 - He Does Dishes!!  -Not all the time, but when he can, he helps me.  Its not always dishes or chores, and most often it has to do with the children.  Having a united front as parents is so necessary in a family and it is always a blessing to know that "he's got my back".  I am also thankful for the example to the children that he is.  To have my sons try to be like their "Papa", helping as you can see Titus here.  

Reason #10 - He Loves my Dad - This might sound silly, but to me, its not.  Through the years, Brian and Dad have had their ups and downs, just as in any relationship. Now, Brian can go to Dad for council and Dad can give him "what fer", or just whatever. Here, It looks like Dad was telling a story or somethin'; one never knows, but it fills my heart with joy to see them sit side by side.  ...just makes me happy. 

     

Of course, I could go on, but since this is a family friendly blog, we'll just stop right here.