It is my husband's birthday today, and I think birthdays are a good excuse to tell everyone about the person you love. It's a good time to let him know how glad you are that he was born because your world is a better place with him in it.
No one has had a bigger impact on my life than Jeremiah, obviously. I've spent more of my life with him than without him. We have been together since I was 15, and he was 17. We halfway broke up a couple of times, but it just didn't stick. We were high school sweethearts, and I was in love from the time he took me home after a football game. A group of us had stopped at Burger King, and he told stories with a sparkle in his eye and a contagious laugh, and I was smitten and home after curfew. I made a conscious decision that night that he was worth the grounding I would get. I remember closing my bedroom door on a good reaming from my parents and literally sliding down the back of the door in a grinning puddle like they do in the movies.
He brought me roses on my 16th birthday, and I threw up a couple of times before our dates because I was so nervous around him. I had it bad, and it was more than puppy love. There was something about the way he carried himself. Sure he dressed nice, smelled good, and had a car. But more than that he had a calm deep intelligence, truly listened to my stories, and smiled with his eyes.
Time went on, and we took pictures in caps and gowns, and made college memories together. We made it through roommates and moving. We survived first jobs and a couple of long distance stretches. We got married in 2005, almost 10 years after we met, and finally shared a last name and a tiny hobbit hole apartment. Now a few moves, some tough times, and lots of beautiful moments later - here we are.
Jeremiah is the responsible one, and I admire this about him. He keeps us ticking by paying the bills and getting the oil changed. He is incredibly organized and consistent, but more importantly he just makes it a priority to follow through and show up for people. He works hard and puts in the extra effort. He takes his roles as husband, employee, brother, son, friend very seriously; always wondering what others are thinking or what they might need.
His intelligence astounds me. He writes and even thinks sometimes in computer code for a living. When he is on the phone for work, it's like he's speaking another language, and I am fascinated by this world his mind can operate in. Outside of work even, he is always calculating something, reading manuals, or looking at a map. And although I tease him about being a nerd, I love his relentless thirst for knowledge of any sort, which he stores up for a thoughtful debate or a quick-witted response.
Besides being very logical and practical, there is also an easiness about Jeremiah. He doesn't need to be the center of attention, but goes with the flow, never demanding much of the people around him. He thinks before he speaks, quietly considering other viewpoints. He gives people the benefit of the doubt and second chances.
He has this sensitive, gentle spirit that has the ability to defuse a situation and nerves. He loves very selflessly, quietly loading the dishwasher and washing my car. He makes me breakfast and cleans up after dinner. He is a big softy when it comes to dogs and those down on their luck, and I just know he'd make the best dad. He has literally made so many of my dreams come true, and I feel unfairly blessed to have grown up with him and to continue to share this life together.
Happy Birthday Love.
