Let me just take a moment and tell you all how much I adore my husband. He is so strong in the areas I am weak. It never ceases to amaze me how he can handle conflicts with a calm, cool, and collected head when I would be crying or beside myself with frustration. For all the times I have been frustrated with him for not being more emotional, I sure am sorry. His gift for being grounded and level headed during difficult times is a blessing to my life. When I am in the midst of an emotional day, whether there is a good reason for it or not, he has a way of helping me see the big picture.
One night when we were engaged, I was pulling Eric’s then-new car out of the carport at his house. The carport is tight (even though I’ve lived here ever since we got married, I still get nervous pulling the car in and out), so instead of turning the car as I should have, I backed straight out and hit a wooden planter box. It ripped the front fender on the right side of the car completely out. Due to the loud crunching, Eric came running out of the house and I was sure I was going to get a verbal lashing of rage (I was already giving myself one). Instead, he looked at the damage and calmly said, “Why don’t I drive you home?” It was beyond belief to me that he could look at what I had just done to his car and react in a way that did not make me feel foolish.
Let’s see… How else is he wonderful? He gives amazing hugs and he is good at giving them to me at just the right times. Over the years he has become more adept at knowing when I need a hug and when I need to be left alone.
Another character trait Eric has in spades that I appreciate so much is his work ethic. He is the hardest working person I know. He does not make excuses as to why something cannot be done. He figures out a way to do it and he gets it done. Because of his no failure attitude, he has made outcomes come to pass that I never would have even attempted. Some days, it is scary being married to a visionary, but I am never in need of something to do. He is always way ahead of me with ideas and projects we can complete that will benefit others.
Last but not least (and I could easily fill a book bragging on my sweetie), Eric is a good listener. If you ask him to listen, he will remove distractions and listen intently. This is especially meaningful to me because I know his personality drives him to see a problem, seek out solutions to the problem, and fix the problem. Because he knows I usually just want a listening ear, he will listen carefully to what I say, and then usually asks me if I want his advice or not. Sometimes I do want his advice and sometimes I decline because I just needed to get it out. ~smile~
After several years of marriage, I’m thankful that I can brag on Eric more now than I could the day we got married. Each year I love him more and each year he gives me more reasons to respect him.
When you are choosing a mate, try bragging on him or her. It is important to know that you are joining your life with someone whom you admire. If you try to keep your boyfriend or girlfriend under wraps, do some soul searching and find out why. If he or she is not someone on whom you can brag (i.e., someone who has personality and character traits you deeply admire), will you be able to respect and support him or her to the best of your ability once you are married?
Happy Anniversary, Eric! Thank you for the love you have shown me in the past and for the love I know you will show me for years to come. I respect you deeply and I look forward to respecting you even more as the years go by. You were more than worth the wait!
Can you brag on your boyfriend/girlfriend, fiancé/fiancée? What are some ways you admire your sweetheart?
Brother in Christ says
You are the wife that every husband craves for and desires. Here is to wishing you and your amazing husband many more happy years of marriage and God’s richest blessings.