Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day to My Man

About two and a half years ago on our church's women's retreat, I sat in a room full of women (though we carried on like little junior high girls) laughing, sharing stories, and pigging out on junk food. The night took a semi-serious turn when someone suggested we make a list of "twenty things we love about our husband." I'll admit that I was not the least bit excited about this exercise, but as I reflected on my hubbie, my heart warmed at the many little things about him that have captured my heart. We then went around the room and shared our lists with one another. Even though our husbands were miles away, probably sound asleep, we all were a little more in love that night after our list-making. The other day as I was cleaning out some boxes, I came across this list and thought it would be perfect for V-day. 

Things I Love about my Husband:
1. people person
2. natural leader
3. loves to sing but he can't
4. his "dad" jokes
5. he lets me cry about nothing (and everything)
6. his "braces" smile         *yes, at this time Josh had braces! this pic is from his seminary graduation (though it could pass for his high school graduation too)*
7. he loves to pose in front of the mirror
8. he always tells me he loves me before we hang up the phone
9. he always has the right thing to say
10. he lets me watch sports with him and explains it to me (ex: hockey-can NEVER remember the rules)
11. the way he plays with my hair
12. every night in bed he tells me, "I'll be right here if you need me."
13. he is anal about everything (clean freak)
14. puts 110% into everything he does
15. his sideburns    *a little tamer now than they were then*
16. his competitiveness
17. he loves being active and working out
18. he always reaches for my hand during prayer
(I ran out of time before I could get to 20) :)

 Our first Valentine's Day together, six months into dating, he mustered up the courage to say, "I love you" to which I denied him with, "Woah, I'm not ready to say that." Well, this Valentine's Day, nine years later, I want to make it very clear that I do love him with all my heart. Not just with that gush of emotions that we felt those first six months, but with a deep, committed, ahava love that will continue to grow and mature for our lifetime together. 
I love you, Joshua Rice. 
Happy Valentine's Day.

18 comments:

Pen the Tale said...

awww....that is so sweet and he is just so great!

get together with you guys some time soon??

Bex said...

:) you all are so cute together!! love you, nat pat.

Dawntoya and Adam said...

Best post ever! Soooo sweet:) That picture is so good of the two of you:)

Courtney Hofmann said...

this was so sweet natalie! Thanks for sharing... my favorite was number 18... dj does the same thing :)

Finally an Abrigg..... said...

sweet post nat.

Sum said...

so sweet. I love both of you!!!

Lauren Williams said...

aw Natalie! snifsnif! that's so sweet!! yall are so cute! :) #7 made me laugh :)

Christian Family said...

So cute...just found your blog during my sometimes nightly blog check of all my friends...via the Wolf's(via Melissa Ponds; Melissa is Michele Banks little sister). I am not sure if you remember me, but I was a Tri Delta with you at BU! Such a PRECIOUS blog!
:) Amanda Christian(maiden: Luft)
our blog is protected...but my email is a.l.christian@hotmail.com(I can add you to my blog list if you email me)

lauren b said...

great post :)

and your blog is so cute!! how do you get it like that? i am so new to all this stuff!

GloryandGrace said...

I came across your blog at Jill's site--it looks so good! I've been really pleased with mine.

And I've never met you, but I recognize some of the people you have linked on your blog? Do you attend The Village Church? Matt was my university pastor in Abilene before he went to The Village. I attended there for a little while a couple of years ago before moving to go to seminary.

Anyway, it was fun looking at your blog! Grace and peace~

Christy said...

so sweet! josh is a such a great guy and so are you! we loved spending time with you guys and need to do it more often! we love you all!

Finally an Abrigg..... said...

I LOVE your new background so much!

Those Tonnes said...

Love love love the post, love love love the new look of you blog. How did you make it so pretty? Let me know the secret. We are so blessed to have such great husbands. I think I might have to do that exercise about my hubby.

Bex said...

I LOVE YOUR NEW BLOG DESIGN!!!!

krcorso said...

Y'all are too cute, Natalie!

Jill said...

Hi~ Just wanted to thank you for letting me work on your blog! I LOVE how it turned out! Hope you enjoy!

~Jill

The Ice House said...

yay for amazing godly husbands....how lucky are we??? you've inspired me to make a list... I need to thank Jamey for letting me cry about everything/nothing!!!
haha

good post!

Andrea "The H family" said...

Nat--you need to blog more. I check on you but no bloggy.
:) hugs,
A