41

With every year that passes, I know less and less what to expect. The magic is still here, but it feels very different than it used to. The day used to fill me with excitement…now that has given way to a quiet gratitude. I turn 41 today and I feel extremely thankful.

For my birthday today, I would like to share with you three things that I am thankful for:

1. My bride. I proposed to my best friend 21 years and one day ago. I was 19 and I knew that I had found the one person in the world that I wanted to spend the rest of my life getting into mischief with. I would like to say that I was extremely suave and well planned out, but I wasn’t. I was young and extremely excited and I proposed in my crappy college apartment rather suddenly. It could have been more romantic, but it couldn’t have been any more genuine. I was in love with my best friend. I am 21 years more so now. She is my partner in life (and maybe mischief from time to time…). 

2. My son. We always knew we wanted kids. Believe it or not, I knew at 15 that I wanted to be a dad. I even told my mom back then that was something that I wanted. I think she misheard me. She seemed concerned. No. I wasn’t trying to tell her something that I had done…I was just conveying the fact that one day I wanted a little one of my own. I didn’t know it would take another 15 years to realize it…we had T two months before I turned 30. It is safe to say, I had no idea of how amazing it would be. Yes, I saw glimpses, but he has been so amazing. He makes me laugh every day. He is so smart. He is so brave. He is so sweet. I can not type enough words to describe how much I love this boy…and his mama too. 

3. My family. My dad and mom are my heroes. It is only on this side of life and with the perspective I now have that I can see how awesome they are. They have loved me and taken care of me in so ways. Last year when I found out I had cancer again, they dropped everything and were by my side in no time flat.  Dad made a point to come down (200 miles) to take me to my chemo appointments. Mom spent countless hours praying for me and encouraging me. This is just the stuff they have done recently. I could write an entire book on the ways they have loved me and given their time and love over the years. Words cannot express how much I love them. They are amazing. 

There are so many other things I am thankful for: Chris, Linda, Colt, Mariah, Rileigh, Lillie, Bob, Bunny, Amber, Hali, Michael, Caity….the list really does go on and on. 

I am aware as I type these words that every where I look and everything that I see, there is something to be thankful for. After the past few years, I am not going to miss a moment doing just that. 

One last word of gratitude: to the God who loves me and watches over me and His son who I love…thank you for the life you have given me.