"Have You Ever Been In Love"

"Have You Ever Been In Love" is "our song." It's the song David and I shared our first dace, the one that played right after we said "I love you" for the first time, and the one that still describes the way I feel about him. I'm seriously tearing up just writing this and thinking about how much more my love has grown and matured sense this became "our song.

My husband has been on a hunting safari in South Africa for the past two weeks and I've had time to reflect on all the things that make him my hero, my best friend and my soul mate. How is it that we so easily loose track of the things we dreamed of and hoped for in our teens? For me, that was a hero. A man I could grow old with, someone I could share my heart with, who would understand and inspire me, a person I would refer to as my soul mate. I knew I wanted this, but I didn't really realize how much I needed it, or how lucky I would be to actually find it! I did find it and I it's taken me 7 years to realize how truly amazing it is that I did, how inspired and ordained by God our union is and how incredibly fortunate I am to have it! The dating story, our engagement and the first year of marriage will have to be saved for another post, today I want to talk about our love... The cold hard truth of how very much I LOVE my husband.

David..... I didn't even really like his name when I met him. I thought, "Dull, boring! I'm so not the girl married to a David, I'm much more of the Dexter, Declyn, or Dallas type of gal." Little did I know that David means "Beloved." Seem like God knew a little better then I did, eh? I'd prayed for a "beloved," wished for a "beloved" and even looked for a "beloved" but when it was staring me in the face I decided he didn't look or sound like I expected him to. This method of my "madness" has continued to be a theme throughout our relationship ie: My plan vs God's plan, my idea vs. His idea, my vision vs. His vision, my limited understanding vs. His incredible understanding, my little faith and His OVERWHELMING LOVE. When I look back and really think about this I'm humbled that He has given me so much. I am so undeserving of the depth, the connection and the abundant love I get to experience with my husband. I'm so unworthy of the partnership that we have and the friendship we share, yet God has bestowed it on me freely. The gift of His grace has exhibited itself in so many ways, far beyond the amazing gift He has given me in my salvation and I'll forever be grateful. God has used my marriage as a tool to strengthen and clarify my faith. Thank you.

My "Beloved" David is incredible. He's kind, caring, brave, determined, intelligent, and wise. He is confident, yet humble; he's opinionated, yet he honors the opinions of others; he is driven, yet unafraid to make changes or reevaluate the original plan. My husband is a man of character and moral value. He will do the right thing at all costs. The integrity in which he exhibits personally, professionally, as a husband and father astound me on a daily basis. My husband is more then just an incredible man, he is an incredible friend. He isn't afraid of change, and if confronted with something he can do better or an area to work on in himself the man will tackle it head on. This man is my best friend. He inspires me and encourages me everyday. He shares my joys and sorrows, listens to my fears, validates my crazy ideas, guides me to truth, loves me unconditionally and leads our family with passion and purpose.

I wanted to do something romantic for David while he was on his trip, so I decided to take pictures that represented things I would miss about him while he was gone. It was a therapeutic thing for me to do and has made me very conscious of everything I enjoy sharing with him. I've continued to think about these things while he's been gone and I'll list a few:
Watching TV - it's so much more fun when you can talk about, make fun of or learn things together.
Sleeping - the way he lets me tuck my foot under his leg just before I fall asleep and how safe that makes me feel.
Bathing Zane - Laughing at his quarks together is so much more fun then doing it alone.
Taking on the phone throughout the day - feeling like someone cares how your day is going makes it go by faster.
Hearing about his day - good, bad or ugly I miss knowing.
Praying together before we go to bed - such a special part of everyday.
Getting his tooth brush ready at night and having mine ready in the morning - isn't the same when you have to make your own tooth brush.
Grocery shopping with his likes/dislikes in mind - thought this would be liberating, but it's been sad.
The look I get when I change outfits three times before we go out - having someone who inspires you to look your best everyday is amazing, not having it is uncool.
These are the simple, mundane, everyday things I miss. However, there is so much more to this guy and SO much more I miss.

I didn't imagine that things could get better, would be more romantic, or could have more significance then they did when we were dating, but 7 years into this journey of marriage I'm happy to say they have and they do! I'm excited about the next 7 years, I'm anticipating whats in store for the next 14 and I'm plan giddy about the next 21. Sharing your life with your best friend gives you the opportunity to experience the ups and downs together, knowing your committed to whatever comes your way and no matter what you'll face it and fight it as a team. This is a great gift, a wonderful experience and an incredible source of strength in my life, not to mention making me super happy! My girlfriend Leigh Ann recently said: "It's easy to see your happy meter is full when your with David". I thought, "how true," my happy meter really is full when I'm with him. Doesn't matter when, where or how, I'm happier when we're together and I'm SO happy he's coming home tomorrow!

David,
I'm looking forward to talking to you and falling asleep in your arms. Your safe and you make me the happiest girl in the world. You provide me with love, laughter, truth, encouragement, and more joy then one girl should be able to experience. You tech me to love myself and inspire me to become my best. You love is a gift that I will cherish and hold dear my entire life. Thank you for your honesty, love and character. I'm forever yours and I promise I will ALWAYS have your back ;)