An Open Letter to my Amazing Husband

swoon.

Dear Mark,

Ten years ago, today, I went on an impromptu trip to go get some coffee with you. Little did I know the impact that first date, and you, would have on my life.  I have never felt so blessed.

I recently reflected on our first years together and it really takes me back.  I often say that it doesn't feel like we've been together that long and it's true.  It's weird, though.  I simultaneously feel like we just met and married a couple years ago and yet I feel like you have been apart of my world my entire life.  It's a difficult feeling to reconcile.  It wasn't until I thought back to that first day that I really felt the gravity of a decade of memories.

I cherish the memories I have of our first date.  From the hazelnut breves to the plushy couch to the quiet conversation.  Hindsight is 20/20 and I see now why we quickly became close friends. I loved you from the beginning, even if it took me a long time to realize it myself. You were so charming, sweet and caring from the start. I knew you were special.  I knew you were The One.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
— 1 Peter 4:8

I still can’t believe it has been ten years already! We have been through so much during that time. In our wedding vows we talked about being there for each other no matter what; through thick and through thin. Good times and bad. I smile as I think about the fact that we read those vows on our wedding day. I know we had to repeat them then and that was fine but, truthfully, we had been obeying those rules for a lot longer than that.

You have always stuck by my side no matter what I dished out. It’s really true when, in 1 Peter, it says that love covers a multitude of sins. When you unconditionally love someone, as I do you, there is nothing you can do to make it stop. I know this because you love me back and that means that you would never do anything to intentionally hurt me. There is nothing that we can not resolve. When times get really hard, as I'm sure they one day will, there is no one else that I would want on my team. I am committed to you. Forever.

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." — Lao Tzu

You have given me such strength. You are my rock and I would have crumbled a long, long time ago without you. You are my sounding board when I feel unsure.  I know that if I make a decision, and it is the wrong one, you will support me and help me fix my mistakes. You also look to me for advice and value my opinion. That gives me validation and courage. The courage to follow our dreams without hesitation because I know you will remain by my side the entire way. I have come to realize I can't plan everything and that frightens me.  You hold my hand as we tackle life together.  You are my perfect teammate.

I am constantly falling in love with you. Every day. Every moment. You are perfect in every way that matters to me. You are a godly man and I am proud that you are the head of our household. I am proud of you in so many ways and I am humbled by your selflessness. You are a true servant and I have so much to learn from you.

"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
— Robert A. Heinlein 

I have no idea what this next decade is going to entail. There were so many changes in the last ten years that I can’t even wrap my head around what our future may hold. I know though, that no matter what, it is going to be fun, exciting and full of laughter.

I know our journey will include many things and I pray that children will get to be one of them. You are the most natural father. You can certainly add that to the list of things that I am proud of you for. I see you with our friends’ babies and it makes me swoon. I already look up to you as a parent and try to follow your lead (even if the only thing you are parenting these days is our four-legged “first born”). I think we are going to be a great parenting duo one day and I can’t wait to begin that voyage together.

I love you, Mark Andrew. I love you so much that those words are completely inadequate. My heart swells at the thought of you. I honestly think my heart has grown entire sections for the sole purpose of loving you.  If I could be half as good a spouse as you have been to me then I would be very lucky. You have given me so much over the years and we have only just begun. Thank you. Thank you for picking me and thank you for giving me the privilege to be your wife.

With all of my love,
Jessie