We became pen pals and started getting to know each other when he was 21 years old.
So as Jon turns 50 years old this weekend, I am calculating that I have known him for 29 years.
I am so grateful for the past 29 years. And I am so grateful for him.

I have sometimes reflected with sadness that we didn’t meet each other in kindergarten. I could have had a whole ‘nother 16 years with him! But as he likes to remind me, it’s a good thing we DIDN’T meet in elementary school. I was the kind of girl he steered clear of. Not a bad girl. Just too bold and too bossy for him. I was that little kid that was sort of “in charge” on the playground. Now he knows as our Welsh friends say, “The feisty kinds make the best wives”…. but in grade school that wouldn’t have mattered to him.

So as I think about how blessed I am to be married to this tall, handsome guy with the wonderfully deep voice that still ponders the Word of God while holding his bible in his left hand as he gestures with his right hand, I feel……
Privileged.
It is a privilege to be his friend, his confidant, his companion, his wife, and the mom to his kids.

His friend.
He calls me every day from work. He always comes and finds me to say goodbye before leaving. He shares stuff with me that he doesn’t tell anyone else. He listens to me and the outpourings of my deep heart long after any normal guy would have checked out. He laughs at my playfulness and makes me laugh with his hilariously funny dry wit.

His confidant.
There isn’t anything that I can think of that he wouldn’t talk to me about. His college roommate said of him, “He doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve.” But for me, he has never been secretive or held back what he is thinking or feeling.
He is more vulnerable with me than I deserve as I have, to my great sorrow,  been careless at times and wounded him.
He is the best forgiver I know.

His companion.
With committed intentionality, we have pursued companionship the past couple of years. This theme, this pursuit, has been like superglue for our marriage. We are really different people. And we have worked harder than most to find common interests and joys that draw us together. And we’ve being willing to explore new interests together.
He is truly my favorite person to “pal around with”, as my Grandma Ollie used to say.

His wife.
He holds my hand and holds my heart. He warms my cold feet. He hasn’t given up the struggle to learn to lead me well. I’m not always easy to lead. He provides all that I need and so much of what I want. And never complains about how much I spend on shoes. Or books. Or lotions and potions.  He never complains when his shirts aren’t ironed and he likes leftovers. He would marry me all over again, I’m sure of it – even after knowing and living with the worst about me. Our first several years were…. pretty rough….2 years ago after 24 years of marriage, we reaffirmed our marriage covenant. I feel like I got a second chance at being a newlywed. Pure grace.

His kids mom.
Growing up I honestly thought a lot more about being a mom than being a wife. Cart before the horse? Maybe.
I just really, really wanted to be a mom. I didn’t think much about being a wife.
He hadn’t ever thought about kids. Or about being a dad. Ever.
This parenting journey has been filled to overflowing with joy and blessing. It’s also been sanctifying to us as husband and wife as we arrived on the parenting scene unprepared, lacking unity at many points, and with different expectations and opinions about many, many things. He has worked and struggled to faithfully live out roles that were not modeled well for him. And he has been patient with me while I tried to do the same.
And he stepped way out of his comfort zone to say yes and bless me with 4 of the most incredible kids ever.

Happy birthday to my best friend, favorite vacationing buddy, and truest brother in Christ.
I love you more every minute we are married.
And yes, I still wish we’d met in kindergarten.