Learning to love someone

 

 I thought for the last twenty years I had truly learned to love Stephen. I thought I had loved as deeply as I could but I was wrong. I have only nearly touched the surface of what it feels like to truly love someone. He has taught me so much in what it really means to love deeply and be selfless. I learn selflessness daily and it is so hard. I want to be so selfish. I can feel myself being pulled in so many different directions.  I am truly blessed to have spent the last nearly 20 years of my life with such a forgiving, loving, and kind man.  No matter where we go from here, these have been the best years of my life.  

A wrecked truck

 You know when things aren't going great and they just keep getting worse?  Well that was today.  Stephen finally went back to work after being sick and then on his lunch break he wrecked his truck.  He turned left in front of someone.  This was Stephen's first car accident of his whole life, so he did pretty good making it 44 years!

Thirteen Years with My Favorite Leprechaun

Thirteen years ago, I married my best friend.  

I have been so blessed with him by my side.  I am the "luckiest" girl around.  I have always loved St. Patrick's Day and choosing to marry the man of my dreams on March 17, 2006 was the best decision of my life.  

It was a rainy San Diego night when we drove over to the temple to take their last session of the evening.  It was just him and me.  Ok, our parents joined us, too!  I don't remember where we went to dinner afterward, but it was wonderful.  All of our photos were taken in the rain.  We seriously couldn't get any "luckier"!

These last 13 years have been a whirlwind. 

I love you, Stephen Barnes.

A Hunky Birthday

Today, Stephen is celebrating his 37th birthday!

I love him.  

I love him more and more each day.  

I am so grateful he is in my life.  

I have learned this year to support my husband.  I am surprised at how much I was not supporting him.  Marriage is a true learning and growing experience.  I know that I love Stephen.  Now, I must show him, daily, that I love him.  

Stephen is extremely supportive.  

He is kind.

He is selfless.

He is a hard worker.

He loves video games, so the boys and I got him the playstation virtual reality set.

Stephen is a great cook.

He has a funny, quiet sense of humor. 

He is one of the healthiest people I know.

Stephen is constantly researching new ways to improve our family's health.  

Stephen is loving.

He is a great father.

Stephen is my very best friend.  I love spending time with him.  We have tried to go on a date once a month to strengthen our friendship and our bond.  

We spent his birthday as a family.  The best way to spend a birthday, in my opinion.  We got him a chocolate cake and went out to eat.

I love this man.  

I really love this man.

He has made me a better person.  

More than anything, I appreciate his sacrifice, example, and love for me.