100 reasons... he's the one

Spain, 2004

1. He is my rock
2. He was my first love who I never got over
3. He is my best friend always
4. He gave me Buby
5. He turned me into a person who likes to hug
   
6. He believes in the potential of others
7. He inspires me every day
8. He is smart and strong in mind
9. He dreams big, very big!
10. He taught me to ride dirt bikes and horses
11. He is amused when I repeat the same story five different ways
12. He keeps a lip balm in every room
13. He gives up his seat on the subway
14. He thinks I’m sexy on his bike
15. He knows when I say two minutes I really mean 20 and plans accordingly
16. He loves Jazzy, our pup of 10 years
17. He will dance on a pool table for you
18. He will roll around in a $1,000 suit if it makes Gavin laugh
19. He has oddly soft hands
20. He used to kiss my pregnant belly and say "love you" to unborn Buby
21. He is content doing nothing but always game for adventure
22. He can build or fix anything
23. He secretly listens to country music in his car
24. He invites his mother-in-law to stay a few days longer
25. He is a thoughtful gifter with an enviable memory
26. He is passionate but never has a temper
27. He looks as good in a pinstripe as he does in a worn tee
28. He has a sense of direction that can take him anywhere
29. He brings me calm when I’m losing my mind
30. He lets me use the bathroom first if I really have to go
31. He gives better advice than anyone I know
    
32. He parked his motorcycle around the corner, and I snuck out
33. He could never keep a ring in his pocket
34. He jumped out of an airplane at 13,000 feet days before our wedding
35. He is as modest as he needs to be and not an ounce more
36. He asked me to marry him before we dated 6 months
37. He has faith in something he cannot see
38. He is a poet and a songwriter
39. He dared me to make the first move
40. He kisses me on the forehead every morning before he leaves the house
41. He can pull off long hair or short
42. He almost learned to play Brown Eyed Girl on guitar to serenade me
43. He likes to live in the moment
44. He adored his grandmothers
45. He craves the smell of fresh-cut grass
46. He commands attention in a crowd
47. He has his own history and no regrets, and I love that
48. He is passionate about his politics but can debate an issue from all sides
49. He will eat almost anything
50. He tolerates me singing in the car
51. He is direct with people and a good boss to his staff
52. He has the most kissable lips
53. He surrounds himself with people who think differently than he
54. He watched me go through many stages of growing up
55. He was my ear and my shoulder through all other relationships
56. He accepts that I move his stuff and forget where I put it
57. He embraces my friends yet maintains his own
58. He will go on Coney Island’s Cyclone with me eight times in a row
59. He was patient and saved one song just for me
60. He picked me a single daisy while turning a corner on a riding mower
61. He asked me to dance in the pouring rain
62. He worked in a one-hour photo shop so I could take an unpaid internship
63. He moved across the country to catch an Arizona sunset with me
64. He has a million super-secret inventions, but he tells me
65. He is a fun travel companion
66. He let me eat McDonalds in Paris (I know, gross)
67. He will take chances, for us
68. He is most at peace in nature
69. He keeps on fishing regardless of how successful he is
70. He challenges me to face my fears
71. He wakes up when I whisper his name in the night
72. He dips his pizza in bleu cheese
73. He does not have a favorite color, no matter how many times you ask
74. He trusts me
75. He has a sense of humor about Space Camp videos and yellow Kodak hats
76. He encouraged me to move 3,000 miles to take a job he knew I wanted
77. He laughs as I dial 20xs to vote for the American Idol each week
78. He usually knows what I’m thinking even before I say it
79. He loves my crazy family and is a brother to my brothers
80. He holds onto 10-year-old Dock Martins for sentimental value
81. He GETS me, and that's no small beans
    
82. He still keeps in touch with his best friend from junior high
83. He is a gentleman always
84. He gave me a high five after the raft tipped over
85. He will eat wings and loaded fries and then order a diet Pepsi
86. He almost kissed me (twice) at the alter before we said “I Do”
87. He knows I knock knees and asks me to dance anyway
88. He spoils me with homemade mac and cheese
89. He maintains his cool in high-stress situations
90. He tells me I look beautiful when I feel anything but
91. He looks HOT in bowling shoes
92. He helps prep me for awkward business conversations
93. He doesn't want to miss out on Gavin's childhood
94. He drove all through the night to surprise me in Washington
95. He understands the direct route to my heart is through my tummy
96. He makes you want to be the best version of yourself
97. He went 14 years without barfing and bragged. He didn't go 15
98. He likes to garden
99. He has brought me even closer to God
100. He cried when he held our son for the first time

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letter to my sweets,

15 years ago we met on a Tuesday night in October. In an empty classroom. And you ignored me. I sat two seats back and one row over, and you were too cool to turn around. So we waited in silence as I took in your long leather coat, shiny black locks, and magnetic personality.

Over the course of six months we flirted. And debated. And grew sweet on each other. I gave my mom a detailed play-by-play after each time I saw you. What you wore. What you said. How you grinned when you said it. It was the crush of all crushes.

That April, you mustered up the courage to ask me to dinner and a movie (Jurassic Park). It was a summer of innocence... ice cream on Sundays, sneaking out for long talks in the driveway, dancing under street lights. That sort of wonderful. We both traveled later in the summer, not together, and then you went away to college.

I made you cards out of glitter glue and taped pennies to them for good luck. I compared everyone to you, and they paled. We became best friends. Who fell in love. But couldn't admit it. Not at 1 am while carrying on about a comically bad date or supporting each other through really tough times, like purple hair dye.

Everyone knew. For years. I'd say to my mom in passing, "I'll never find anyone as perfect as Tom." She'd respond, "Jenny, he's RIGHT THERE!" Still, I didn't believe. Our timing was off, and I did not dare expect that kind of happiness. It was too much. {I imagined a lifetime of pining while we busied ourselves with other people.}

Then I listened to Travis Tritt's song Anymore one too many times. Oops. I told you I loved you in a heated exchange. A few days went by. I feared I put our friendship at risk. We were home from college and had just mowed lawns for my dad for 14 hours. Dirt, sweat and blades of grass covered me head to toe. You unrolled your window, handed me a bag and said you'd pick me up in two hours. What?

It was a Friday in July, and we would have a REAL date. Without notice. A dress, sandals, and a simple white cardigan for the cool evening beach breeze that awaited us. I raced home and bathed and prettied like it was my wedding day. (The gift fit perfectly, by the way.) When you came to the door, I was never so nervous.

Suddenly this man who I loved, confided in, traveled with, and shared so many meals was making my heart pound out of my chest. Ow! Breathe I could not. That night felt magically scripted for us. It was another beginning--as more mature people--nearly four years after the first spark flew.

Six months later you were down on two knees vowing to adore me for all time (silliness). Don't ask me what you said... I never heard a word. Long engagement while we finished college and started our careers. Then a wedding.

And five years later, Buby. What a blessing. It has been a journey of which I would not change one second. In 50 years I hope you still look at me the way you did then, and do today. Thank you for being you and for loving me.

moi