Today is our anniversary and life lately has been hectic to say the least. So I wanted to push pause on the usual blog content to let my husband know just how important he is (as he is working away) to me and the amazing impact he has had on my life.  On May 13, 1984 we had no idea what the future had in store for us but 34 years down the road we are still walking side by side. The years have flown by and it feels like it was just yesterday that we were waiting for your family to arrive from Canada to gather for our wedding in a little tiny town in Colorado, little did we know what we had signed ourselves up for, but we did know that whatever it was, we were in it together for the long haul. These past 34 years have been marked by an unmistakable commitment and strong and sure love that surpasses anything life throws at us. Your heart and soul have always been so patient and understanding with me, you have encouraged me and supported me and together we have grown.  We have shared many moments both in laughter and in pain, but it has made us stronger rather than tearing us apart. I thought I knew you well back then, but no matter how well I thought I knew you, being your wife, raising a family and taking this journey with you has taught me a few things.

Even true love takes hard work: You have been more than patient in loving me and our family. You have stood by me at the toughest times when I was not very lovable and even during the times when it seemed like all I was doing was trying to push you away. I don’t know if unconsciously I was trying to test you, but your perseverance of sticking with me has shown me how true and unconditional your love is.  Thank you for being patient with me ❤️.

You are an incredible man, father and husband and you have become a constant and  strong leader for our family. You work harder than anyone I know, you are consistent, wise, loving and fiercely loyal. Add in your patience, humor and common sense and you are a blessing to all that are lucky enough to be around you.  These traits have served us well as we raised our 3 children and faced difficult and challenging times over the years.  Yet, no matter how stressful, how crazy, how painful things get, you always stay positive. Your humor and your desire to bring others joy has never faded.  You stand true and strong.  You are my true north.

You value balance, even when you struggle to find it. I know your job demands a lot from you, and you place a lot of pressure on yourself to perform well and provide for our family. I know I demand a lot of you and I put a lot of pressure on you when you are home and you bust your ass to try to do everything that is on my honey do list, every time you come home.  Thank you for everything you do so selflessly, working so hard and putting me and our family first, every single time.  When we are out there in the trenches of life, I sometimes forget what a blessing you are, not just to me, but to so many others as well.  I think sometimes we let time get away from us, allowing others to get the best of us and we forget to quiet ourselves and take in the beauty that is in our partner, our best friend. You have sacrificed so much – you have missed birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, anniversaries (like today) and I want you to know that I appreciate every drop of sweat you’ve shed, real and proverbial, for my sake. I also am so thankful that when you are home, you make time for what matters.

You have taught me that humility is a sign of strength not weakness.  You are the most humble person I know.  On a daily basis I watch you put others before yourself and the way you respond to others and challenges never ceases to amaze me. You make me want to be a better person and I can’t begin to thank you for that.  

You attempt empathy even when it’s hard: You always try to see an issue, conflict or source of joy from the other side of the hand and when you can’t, you acknowledge that.  You are the only man I know who knows how to listen to people’s problems instead of trying to fix their problem.  

You have believed in me and you make me feel more confident in myself, in life and in us. I depend on you.  You are my foundation and the reason I stand so tall now. Larry, thank you for your friendship, your love, and your willingness to journey through this life alongside me. I have learned so much from the wisdom and knowledge that you have poured into me. Thank you for your tenacity and your strength. With every passing year I find myself a little more humble, a little more wise, and a little less worried about what the future holds. I am undeniably in love with you, and yes, there will be days that I forget to appreciate you with my words and actions. But the truth is imbedded in my soul that my heart is where it is supposed to be. Every day I have you is the best day of my life.

The bottom line is that I could go on and on, but I won’t. Please know that I will continue to walk with you as your wife and partner. I will continue to keep you encouraged and empowered and I will try to be more humble, patient and understanding. I know that you will continue to teach me new things every day and I am so honored to be going through this journey with you. Happy Anniversary from all of me.