Seven things I love about him. {October 24th}

Today is Zac and my seven year anniversary.  Really, seven years?  Where has the time gone?!  It went fast before we had kids, but since we had kids it's sped up even more.  In all honesty, it hasn't been seven years of pure bliss, but it's been the best seven years of my life...and I wouldn't trade them for anything.  I'm seriously hoping for at LEAST 7 times 7 more years with this incredible man.  Since we celebrated at the Coast all week, today was highly laid back.  Just cards, lots of loving, great church day, and chillin at the folks houses.  {Mom C. gave us about a year's supply of green beans & tuna for our storage-awesome huh?!-two of my favorite foods!}  In honor of number 7, here are 7 of my favorite things about you & us from this past seventh year:

1.  You laugh at my jokes.  Like really laugh.  You sometimes say that I should make sure not to repeat what I said to you to anyone else while laughing super hard at something I've said in all seriousness that comes out silly or not as I intended it.  That might not make sense, but I love this.

2.  You have taught me and been with me as I've learned that we can do hard things.  All 7 years, but especially this past one, has taught us that.  I am so grateful for your example of sincere & constant prayer in all decisions concerning us & our boys.

3.  I admire you.  You work hard for our family.  You have done the unthinkable with our business-turned it around and brought it to an entirely different place than it was last year at this time.  It was the Lord first of course, but the rest was you, babe.  You trust Him and He works in you.  And, you let Him stretch you & mold you into the best you ever.  If you make a change for the better, it sticks.  I love this. I want to be more like that.  You're becoming a great leader & you lead me and the boys in the best ways possible.

4.  You like me.  You are always hugging me, holding my hand, cuddling, laying right next to me in bed, talking sweetly to me, checking on me throughout the day, offering to do things for me...you think of me throughout your day.

5.  You are a seriously involved daddy.  You totally see our marriage as an equal partnership and although I often feel like I should be doing the lion's share when it comes to parenting, you gently remind me that you are part of the parenting equation too, and you take over.  You play with our boys, read to them, bathe them, dress them, develop traditions with them, build forts, pray, feed, love, work, etc. etc. etc.  I was telling a friend how blessed I am to have a husband as great as you in this regard and she reminded me how blessed our kids are to have that as well.  It's true.  Our boys will grow to be better men from watching how you treat me. I grew up watching my dad treat my mom like that & always wanted it.  Thank you for giving that to me.

6.  I love that you support my personal interests.  My business has taken quite a bit of me & my time this year.  You've stepped in and taken my slack.  You encourage me and believe in me.  You don't know this, but I overheard you talking about me to some people at a barbecue a month or so ago and you spoke so highly & genuinely about me.  I've always known {because you tell me often} that you believe in me and respect & admire me, but it was amazing what hearing you tell someone else without knowing I could hear you did to my heart.  Thank you for not just playing the part in public, but for daily making me feel like the most loved woman ever.

7.  I feel like this last year you're more you...that too might sound weird, but for so long before that, it seemed like I'd lost a part of you because of the situations we were in and facing.  It was hard to breathe at all, let alone act normal & happy.  I know you were worried...sad...discouraged.  And I love you even more for finding the strength to do what it took in those times and to continue doing those things now.  I love you in any circumstances, but I love seeing you happy the most.  And I love that you've stopped caring so much what other people think & learned that the people who matter the most-God, me & our boys-think you are much greater than you can even imagine.  This past year has been rewarding in that way.  I love you much Zac & so look forward to what our 8th year of marriage holds for us & our family.  Thanks for giving me all of you.