Today, my friends, a very special man is celebrating 25 beautiful years of life. Typically, I’m the type of person who groans at mushy Facebook posts and public displays of affection, but I’m making an exception to wish the love of my life a very public “Happy Birthday!”
Dearest Joe,
It’s easy to love someone for what they do for you and how they make you feel.
And boy do you give me lots of those reasons.
You take over the tasks at home that I loathe the most:
taking Nutmeg out in the cold winter mornings, emptying the trash, washing the cars and cleaning the bathrooms.
You give me lots of grace and are patient with me when I’m in the wrong. Instead of correcting me right away, you give me the space and time I need to come to the right conclusion on my own accord.
You challenge me constantly. To give more of myself, to love the Lord, to extend more grace to those around me and to run a little faster when I want to slack off and eat ice cream.
But it’s more than how you make me feel or what you do for me. I love you for who you are in the deepest parts of your soul.
You’re compassionate, loving and selfless, always willing to give more of yourself to those you care for. Sometimes you give too much and need to learn to take care of yourself more. In your 25th year, give yourself just as much grace to yourself as you do those around you.
You’re passionate, hard-working and incredibly smart. I hate to admit it, but you’re smarter than I am.
I hope our kids get your passion for finance, numbers and business.
You take criticism well and don’t get defensive when I point out something that needs to change. I need to learn to be more like you in that regard.
You’re bold, brave and incredibly courageous in the face of difficult tasks.
You don’t back down in the face of adversity but instead relentlessly pursue what you know to be good and worthwhile.
My prayer for you in this 25th year is that you live a year full of joy and that you continue to grow into the amazing man
I see you becoming day by day.
I love you, my dear.
Madison