the big 3-5

Happy Birthday my beloved!

Are we really hitting 35?

Weren't we 22 years old and newlyweds just, like, yesterday?

Amidst all the chaos we have going on in our lives right now, I'm stopping to appreciate the man you are on your 35th birthday.

Although I find it hard to top last year's birthday post, it all still holds true.

You are an amazing man and you never cease to impress me.

Even now as I write this, you are out in the woods with Hunter trying to fill your deer tag and build a better relationship with our boy.

You are such a great example of a man to our boys. Although no human is perfect, I feel you are a perfect example to them for so many reasons.

You are such a hard worker at anything you do, whether employment, chore, relationship, or hobby.

I love that our boys see you take the responsibility of providing for our family seriously. They know that just as you work hard, you also play hard and they get so excited when you pull in the driveway.

I was so proud to watch you walk across the stage as you graduated with your MBA in May. After all the nights and weekends you invested in getting through school, it was a great example of sticking with something until you complete it - even when it is hard.

You hold yourself to such a high standard, even in relationships. You are always looking to help our marriage grow, to love me more, and to grow closer to our four boys.

I love that you are constantly keeping yourself in check to make sure your priorities are holding true. I have so much respect for your honesty and vulnerability in life. I rarely get to apologize first after a disagreement, and in the moment I hate that, but it is really a quality that I want to adopt in my own life.

Again, what a great example you are to our boys that you consistently apologize to them when you are wrong. You are showing them that no one does life perfectly, and it is o.k. to make mistakes. They trust that their dad cares for their hearts and will work to make your relationship right in the end.

Thank you for being The Man that leads my world of men.

Happy Birthday.