To My Love...

This has been a wild month. And of course, by wild, I mean we spend most of every night curled up on Mo taking serious naps because life has exhausted us so. But I wanted to take this day...this eve of Valentine's Day...to profusely thank you for all the wonderful things you do every single day of our lives. For breathing fresh life and joy into my world just by being in it.

Yesterday I had the opportunity, not just once, but TWICE, to honor your on the air for being my Valentine, and both times, I felt my tribute fell dramatically short of what you deserved. So today..I honor you in this space.

Thank you for all your hard work around our house every single day. You are a million times better at housekeeping than I am...a fact both awe-inspiring and embarrassing. Thank you for shoveling our walks, keeping the cars full of gas and in working order, hand washing the dishes that gross me out, and keeping everything so organized all the time. Thanks for being willing to pitch in on anything at anytime, from cooking to laundry to grocery shopping. You are a rare find, and I appreciate you.

Thank you for understanding and supporting my desire to document our lives in writing, on the blog and in scrapbooks. Thank you for giving me the time, guilt-free, to do those things and for always wanting to read them first when they are done. Thank you for seeing value, not only in what I love, but in the very fact that our story is preserved. You speak love to me in this.

Thank you for sacrificing so many nights and weekends to go to work with me when I work events. I love it that you have as much passion for my job as you do for your own and that you not only come along for the ride...but you dig in. You love our listeners as much as I do. You serve them as much as I do. You love my co-workers and invest in their lives, and they all love you {possibly more than they love me...and that's GREAT!}.

Thank you for so many hours of cuddles. Thank you for wanting to be close to me, for holding my hand during prayer and just always, for millions of kisses, and for always being quick to claim me publicly when you know that was part of my life that had previously been missing.

Thank you for being SO MUCH FUN - always. You always make me laugh, even when I'm having a hard day. You are goofy, unabashed, and confident. I love dates with you; I love every DAY with you because you make every one of them fun.

Thank you for loving my family. We are ALL better people because you are in our mix. You make us laugh, you are our handyman, you are our encourager, and I know every single person in my own family has breathed a sigh of relief that I chose you, because you are a perfect match for me and a perfect fit for all of us. Watching you love them and them love you back is one of my greatest joys.

Thank you for going along with all the little trips I plan and for all the time you put into the ones you plan. Thank you for seeing value in weekends and trips and for wanting to pour time into making memories together. Thank you for going to the beach when it's freezing, for hiking trails, for paddle-boating through lakes, for doing all the driving, for scouting out deals, and for being the best travel partner. Period.

Thank you for all the million little things you do to show me love. From surprise Starbucks treats with notes, to writing on our message board, to little notes in my lunchbox, to driving me to Fort Wayne before driving back to Kokomo for a full work day of your own, thank you.

Thank you for seeing me. In every moment when I've felt invisible. In every moment when it would be easy to look past, you see me. You see me and you capture me in ways that let me know you see what I do and love who I am. I love you for it.

Thanks for your willingness to participate in monthiversary celebrations and all the county tours. Some of my schemes are wild, and I do know that, but the fact that you come on board so willingly is so loving and you are SO FUN to do all those things with. I look forward to those days, because they are ours.

Thank you for our weekly dates, our heavily protected Sundays, and for always always taking me on a boat ride for two whenever we get to go to the lake. Those times are such fun. {Moment of silence while we miss the lake...}

Thank you for leading us spiritually. For praying for and with me. For sending me Scripture on hard days. For seeing church as much of a priority as I do. You are all I ever prayed for in a leader.

Thanks for loving our girl. Even though I may be a wee bit jealous that she likes you better than she likes me, I also can't really blame her. Thanks for adopting her as your own. :) She's a Daddy's girl through and through. Mom??? Who?????

And most recently, thank you for all your love and support in the great health debacles. From the dental palooza last year to the gallbladder palooza this year, you've never complained about what I'm costing us financially {I'm probably complaining enough for both of us}, and you've never made me feel guilty for the hard-earned days off I've cost you. You just willingly take them to be with me and to make sure I'm okay. You keep your vows well - even in the hard times.

I love you, Ryan Shaffer. I love everything you do and everything you are. You were well worth waiting for, and I hope, hope, hope, I show you how loved you are. Words seem inadequate, but they're all I have. I love you.

Thanks for being my Valentine every day.