...and to my amazing husband.

Dear Steve,

How do I even begin to express who you are and what you mean to me? I was not me without you.

You are reserved, cautious, and thoughtful. You seldom make rash decisions, and you always count the cost. This is the perfect foil for my forwardness and impetuousness.

You are stable and constant, as you promised you would be. You have given me a target to land on whenever my flightiness overtakes me.

You believe in me, in my ability, and in my character. You have always believed more in my talent than I did. Because of your belief in me, I can be creative.

You have amazing self-discipline and self-control. You know right from wrong. You live life and make decisions according to your conscience rather than your feelings. Because of your self-control, I have learned its importance. You have a black and white worldview and this comforts me because I can be overwhelmed by shades of gray.

Your protectiveness has enabled me to fight for what is right, and then retreat behind you because I know you will finish the fight with me.

Your love helps me be a good wife. I am safe with you, like I have never been safe before. I know that you belong to me, and that you always will. Because of your example, I am a better person. You have always expected more of me than I expect of myself. From the first day we met, you have seen me for who I could be. I want to be who you think I can be.

Because of your gentleness, I am a good mother. You were so patient and insistent on our children being raised in a peaceful loving home. Because of your active involvement, they have been. Our children exhibit your characteristics every day, and every time I see them acting like you, I am grateful. The kids are quick to love, quick to forgive, and have high expectations for their own behavior. Because of you, we have a close, open, loving family. This happened because you did not let me raise them in the way that came naturally to me, but in the way that was right.

In addition to all of this, I just simply love you. You are fun, funny, and passionate. When I hear something funny or sad, I want to tell you. When you are gone, I want you home. When I am away from you, I want to be with you. The best parts of my day are the parts spent with you. I still look forward to being with you the way a girl in high-school looks forward to being with her boyfriend. When I think of you, I smile, like I am right now. I really think you are the most amazing man I have ever met, and I am still shaking my head in disbelief that you belong to me.

I look at my life and see the times that God’s grace was poured out. All throughout my childhood, God’s love and grace were there, comforting and protecting me. All of the love I missed as a child and more is mine as your wife. You are truly one of God’s greatest gifts to me. The best I can do, since a gift is not something that can be earned, is to try everyday, to be worthy of you, and the One who gave you to me.

I love you,

Bethany