To My Valentine

To my husband, on Valentine's Day:

Thank you for lingering to the point of making yourself late every morning for work because you don't want to go... and for rushing home every night because you miss me.

Thank you for telling me I look good when I'm sure I don't and for actually believing it too.

Thank you for being a real father to our four children - for doing homework, changing all those diapers, showing up at the school parties, carrying little babies everywhere you go, running out for sniffle medicine or school supplies at 2 a.m., and for always being thrilled to welcome a new one into our family.

Thank you for allowing me to be comfortable when I'm being myself.

Thank you for all of your support when I have some crazy new idea, project, or hobby -- and thank you for your patience when I spend hour after hour pouring myself into it.

Thank you for being my best friend and my biggest fan.

Thank you for praying with me and thank you for praying for me.

Thank you for all the phone calls just to say 'hi' and for the hugs and kisses just because I am within reach.

Thank you for being the kind of guy who can't turn away a stray kitten (or two.. or five...).

Thank you for playing stupid video games or heckling bad movies with me until dawn.

Thank you for your sense of humor, your integrity, your honesty... For your sense of duty, your love of life, your gentleness....

I am as in love with you now as I was when we first met. The long commutes, parent-teacher conferences, leaky plumbing, home improvement, bills, general stress, broken limbs, PMS, and sudden, widespread devastation have not changed a thing... and I look forward to every minute with you.

I love you.