Happy {Almost} Birthday, Dear Husbannnnnnnd...

Sunday will be kind of a big deal in Shafferland.

This guy enters a new calendar year!!

Our life has changed dramatically since his last birthday, when we still lived in Marion, I still worked in Fort Wayne, and he still commuted every day.

We had an idea {on that day} that life was about to change, because I had already turned in my resignation to the station. But we had no idea just how much life was about to change. We had no idea the doors God would open, and we probably still have no idea just how much is yet to come for us.

Ryan, you have made this last year, with all its wild adventure, such a delight. Your life makes mine better. {And certainly a lot more fun.}

In this year, we've traveled to new heights {literally!}...

...we've seen some beautiful places...

...you've been a good example to young and old alike...

...you've been part of every corner of my world because you wanted to be...

...we've said some hard goodbyes...

...you've pulled me out of my comfort zone...

...and you've taken time just to be still with me...

..we've had adventures that would only happen to us {ahem, the plumbing geyser}...

...we've carried on traditions...

...we've made new traditions...

...you've fit into every celebration...

...you've learned new skills...

...you've been creative...

...you became an uncle again...

...you sacrificed vacation days to be part of our yard sale {and you pulled a bee stinger out of my tongue after I ate the bee hiding in my sammich}...

...you rocked your Halloween costume, earring and all...

...you taught me to play Frisbee...

...we ran a 5K and you won for your age group...

...we saw the ocean {again}...

...made complete idiots of ourselves {taking our friends down with us}...

...climbed to the top of a lighthouse...

...hiked a HUGE state park...

...you saw Niagara Falls for the first time...

...we walked to Canada...

...we learned how to roast coffee...

...you were selected for jury duty, which made you MUCH happier than it made me...

...we celebrated our third anniversary...

...we celebrated another Christmas, not knowing it would be our last in that house...

...we rang in another new year together...

...followed by the failed owl hike on New Year's Day...

...you turned the car over to 200,000 miles and promptly pulled it over for a full photo shoot, earning you 10 million husbandly points...

...and while I know you'll say "REALLY!?!?!?!!?" I have to mention the time you fell asleep on our date...

...you surprised me with the most incredible Valentine's date...

...we did the completely unexpected and bought a house...

...you were obedient to the Lord and worked a men's retreat, even though it meant hours and hours {days} apart, and God used you in HUGE ways...

...we dog sat a Great Dane that weighs more than I do...

...you did demo on our new house...

...we MOVED!!!!...

...and we got an offer on our Marion house...

...you have supported me in my new life of writing and speaking...

...and you've worked so hard to make our new house a true home...

...and through it all, you've made me laugh!

Happy birthday, my love. You make every day a treasure. I hope the year to come is as full of as much delight as the one behind you. Thank you for being a man of integrity, compassion, and joy!

I LOVE YOU!!!!!