Happy Birthday, Chip.

This is one of my favorite pictures of us...so casual. So "us". Today Chip is celebrating his 40th birthday. He said he doesn't feel 40 at all. He feels much younger. I am thankful for him in my life- in our family's life- every single day. Today I felt compelled to put some of those reasons into words.

{These are totally random and are in no particular order. I could have written several more too!} Here they are, Chip..."40 Things I Love About You".

Happy Birthday today and I wish you many more!

1. Your big bear hugs
2. The fact that you cook better than me. Way better.
3. That you wrote in your day planner in 1994 on a random day, "Propose to Jody".
4. The way our kids light up when you come home. From anywhere.
5. You are great at getting tangles out of little girl hair after bathtime.
6. You can laugh and make jokes in the most tragic of moments and somehow make the ER of any hospital bearable.
7. The intensity level you place on yourself just before you hit a golf ball off the tee
8. Your side of the bed is ALWAYS warmer than mine...and you have no problem trading places with me so I can 'steal' that warmth whenever I ask you to do so.
9. The way you care about and maintain friendships in your life
10.The ease at which you can strike up and form new friendships- anywhere at anytime.
11. Your love of Ms. Pac-Man equals mine. =)
12. Citing major news stories (ie. Natalie Hollaway, Ward Churchill, the Runaway Bride, Elizabeth Smart, Anna Nicole Smith or Terri Schivo) makes us both smile.
13. You brought my mom flowers the first time you met her.
14. Your passion for history and politics has made me look good/knowledgeable at times...and has helped fuel my own interest in such topics through the years.
15. I love how you used to take Teagan places- even to the ocean beach- when I had to work...you two shared a special bond.
16. The way you take our other kids places at times- just so they get individual "Daddy-time" too.
17. You call me beautiful whether I weigh 168 or 118 pounds...and you truly mean it.
18. How you look in just a plain ol' white t-shirt
19. The way you have perfect timing some mornings and show up with a Starbuck's latte- just every so often enough...
20. How you made statements of forgiveness, publicly and in the media, before I ever even gave it a thought- much less said the words.
21. The way you say "You're sorry" even if you're not even sure what you did wrong. {wink}
22. Serving coffee and doughnuts with you at church only 3 weeks after we had gone on our first date.
23. Your baby back ribs and chocolate bread pudding with spiced whipped cream or cheese souffles turn out perfect every time you make them....Mmmmm.
24. If I take off running in a parking lot, you simply drive alongside me and tell me how fast I am running. You think I'm crazy- but you let me do stuff like that anyway...and still love me.
25. You use the same hair putty as me.
26. Whenever we go out for dinner your food always tastes better...and sometimes you let me trade meals.
27. Even though I can't dance, you make me feel like I can
28. Kapoochi's. I loved and miss Kapoochi's with you.
29. You listen to Nick Lachay. =)
30. Whether you are making gourmet soup or booking a golf outing, you throw yourself into your work and give 110%.
31. How you wait with the kids in the car while I shop at Gap Outlet...as fast as I can. =)
32. That you look for the good in everything- and you make me feel guilty when I say "just my life"...because you are so right...we're blessed in many ways.
33. When I tell you I am pregnant (which has been several times) you get the best look in your eyes and give the best hugs then too.
34. You hum movie and tv theme songs and play that silly guessing game with me. Fun stuff.
35. You know that Heaven is real and you look forward to spending eternity there. Someday.
36. Every time I say "I want to buy_____.", you tell me to go ahead. Because you know I'm the 'saver'. =)
37. That you talked me into a honeymoon in Hawaii...I will never regret going there. Ever.
38. You have made ordinary days in my life memorable and extraordinary. More than once.
39. I love the way you can tuck our kids in bed at night and they stay there.
40. The way you wave behind your back as you walk away. All because I told you I melted when I saw someone else do that once. You remember details that make life better...and I am so happy you're in my life.
Today and Always!