HaPpY BiRtHdAy Reed!

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to Ree-eed, Happy Birthday to You!  Thirty-four years ago today, a bouncing baby boy arrived to grace the home of his parents, and subsequently the home of his wife.  Rumor has it that he was a child prodigy and a delightful young lad, which is not hard to believe because he is generally delightful.  And so I dedicate this post to Reed.  How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways - and it will be thirty four ways as a tribute to your new age.

1.  I loved that when we were dating you knew that I would never bring a coat, and so you always brought one for me.

2.  I love that we can never pass a broken down car without stopping - even if it might contain a psychopathic hitchhiker bent on murdering us where we stand, but standing ready to help I might add.

3.  I love that we can never walk buy a flashlight without purchasing one, or at least looking longingly at it.

4.  I loved the subtle way that you suggested that I start making the bed "once we get a new bedspread."  It was very effective and non-confrontational.  We'll see if it works - or will we?

5.  I love how you let me stick my cold feet between your legs at night.

6.  I also love how you love when I stick my finger in your belly button.  {{hee hee}}  You'll miss it when I die.  Promise.

7.  I think it's funny that when we fight you make yourself useful all of a sudden and start cleaning.

8.  I love that you have changed as many diapers as me, and cleaned up as much vomit, and that you do a full body assessment over minor injuries.

9.  I love that you get along so well with my family.

10.  I love that you can never pass a hole and not stop, and then climb in, and then kick the other person out, and then take care of the problem.  

11.  I love your laugh.

12.  I love the twinkle that you get in your eyes when....

13.  I love that you are so competitive - even over weird or non-consequential things or even consequential things for that matter (3:12).

14.  I love how you honor your priesthood, and have established a family of church goers.  I also love to hear you bear your testimony.  It is very powerful.

15.  I love how you roll up in our covers at night like a burrito, and then act all chagrined when I call you on it, or deny that it ever happened.  Oh, it happened mister.  Or should I say "happens."

16.  I love that you bleach the water in the little kiddie pool on a regular basis.

17.  I love your work ethic - but sometimes I don't.

18.  I love it when I sit by you in church and we hook our feet.

19.  I loved that when we were dating and you let me drive your car, you had to show me how to change a flat tire first.  I already knew, but I thought it was cute that you showed me.

20.  I love to watch you put on your socks in the morning.  You make it into such a process with the turning them inside out, pulling the lint off, turning them right side out, putting them on, pulling them up until the heel is at your calf, aligning the seams over your toes, and then smoothing them out.  Repeat.

21.  I love that when I am dead asleep on the couch you still wake me up to watch something funny on T.V. - and you never give up trying, even if I'm not all that interested or coherent.  

22.  I love that you are persistent.  Like that time you couldn't get a hold of me on the phone to ask me out (2nd or 3rd date) so you just drove down to my house to ask me in person.  Very bold.

23.  I love those rare occasions when you call me Nati.

24.  I love your scuffed up, scabbed, calloused, beat up, broken hands.  They just look like they have seen some action.

25.  I love your dimples.

26.  I love that you dive right into most situations without being told what to do, or waffling over what you should do, or wondering if you shouldn't - You just do.  That's a good quality.

27.  I love that you are so rich in common sense. 

28.  I love that we have finally broken your back where vacation is concerned, and that when we do vacation you approach it like you are going to kill it, but that is the case with most things.  (See #17: work ethic).

29.  I love that no matter how fast I talk, you always seem to understand what I am saying.

30.  I love that you are always willing to "put your money where your mouth is" - so to speak.

31.  I love, love, love your sense of humor.

32.  I love that you always stand up for what is right - even if it means no one is standing with you (except for me of course - I've got your back).

33.  I love your new found interest in the yard work.  Guess what though?  I already mowed the lawn.  Aha ha, aha ha, ha!  Think of it as a gift, for your birthday, because it is.

34.  And last but not least.... I LOVE YOU!  All of you - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Though there is more good than bad, or even ugly.  I still love you.

I could go on and on and on but I think I will stop here and save the rest for another day.  Happy Birthday!

Love - Nat