Nine Times Over

I was blessed to marry my best friend. Today marks our ninth Valentine's together (okay, technically we are apart today with him on a business trip. . .nonetheless), and I thought in honor of such I'd list just as many reasons why he is my man:

1. He is Captain Yellowstone! (that is actually one of his nicknames, and it fits) Blaine is ALWAYS prepared. In these scary times, that is comforting to me.

2. He finishes my sentences. We are not the opposites attract couple. We like the same stuff, think along the same lines, and laugh at the same things.

3. He's got the oldest child mantle going on. Blaine is so responsible and mature and that is good considering I can never remember my cell phone and keys. He's constantly evaluating himself in terms of how he'll affect others, just like his Mom and I love that about him.

4. He is a listener. I have definitely developed the Mom 'uh-huh', 'yea' response that comes from listening to your four year old explain for ten minutes straight all of the things he is thinking. Blaine doesn't do that. Ever. Even when I think he is, and I'll say, "Are you listening to me?" he will look up from his given piece of technology (be it laptop, computer, or IPad) and regurgitate verbatim what I was just blabbering on about. Spooky.

5. He honors his Priesthood. Blaine is so hard on himself, which is funny because I think he is a much better person than I am. I can count on one hand with plenty of fingers to spare how many times I have seen him truly upset. He is gentle, kind, and long-suffering. His patience with me knows no bounds (I hope.)

6. Hamsters and Rats. A week ago Blaine hollered from the kitchen, "We need to talk", and I knew it was serious because he never says that. We sit down and he proceeds to explain how Colton needs a pet, and the way he explained it all was so cute--I just know he loves our boys and wants the best for them. So I begrudgingly make the trek with him to the pet store and try to be amendable to the idea of having a pet; that is until the employee tells me that basically my choices are a hamster or a rat and she recommends the rat. Blaine and I took one look at each other (refer to reason 2) and walked out of the store. No pet up in here people.

7. He has the "Pretend Costco" mentality. Okay, this isn't meant to offend but I love that my husband like's quality--he wants the best (I blame his Dad, lol). A week ago when we pulled into Sam's Club Colt said, "Is this the pretend Costco?"

8. He's a shopper. Blaine can find anything--at the best price. He has this sixth sense about shopping (Gift from his Momma--she's got the gene too), and I'll readily admit that anything cute I'm wearing is probably from him or aforementioned Momma. I have no taste--I would wear Yoga pants and an Under Armour shirt with my running shoes all day everyday if his fashion sensibilities would allow it (okay, probably not totally true, but close).

9. He lets me be me. Blaine doesn't try to fix me--heaven knows I need the rebuild, but he just loves me. He inspires me to be better, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why in the world he chose me. I love him, and that love grows more each year.

Here's to another nine, sweetheart.

I LOVE YOU.
See you soon!