to my sweetheart

February is here, and I've had it in my head for a while now that I wanted to make my first post this month about someone who doesn't normally get a lot of face time on my blog. He's not as cute as the girls, although he is quite a bit more handsome, but just because his picture doesn't get posted on a regular basis doesn't mean he's not the single most important person in my life. He is my partner, my friend, my first and only love, and my husband.

I've never shared anything about our story that I can remember, so I'll start at the beginning. Nathan walked into a Taco Bell and into my life 9 years ago in May. I had known who he was for years having gone to the same high school and church, but it wasn't until that night, as we were both eating dinner with friends, that we spoke for the first time. I couldn't have guessed that my love story would spring from such unromantic beginnings, but seeing as Taco Bell is still a weekly part of our life, I suppose it's fitting.

We met the week after my 18th birthday, and three months and many emails later, we went on our first date. Nathan surprised me in every way, blowing away all of my expectations and replacing them with things I realized I wanted much more. He made me laugh, he loved the things I loved, he was incredibly smart- but there were other things that were just as important, but not as typical. Nathan was, and still is, one of the most faithful people I have ever encountered. He believes in doing the right thing, no matter how difficult or inconvenient. He is patient to a fault, never losing his temper with me and always understanding my quirks and personality flaws. He is selfless, responsible, and kind. It was when all of this began to really sink in that I realized he was the one I wanted to be with for the rest of my life.

Nathan asked me to marry him in September of 2001 and we set the date for May 24. Now, coming up on 7 years later, there are some things I know now that I didn't know then.

I love Nathan more today than I could have ever imagined the day we said our vows, and I am a better person because of Nathan's influence in my life. He is strong in all of the areas I am weak, but to his credit, he never gloats or holds it over me. He is an amazing dad, and he loves all three of our girls with everything he's got. He is the best partner I could ask for in this life, both in the good and the bad. We have experienced our share of both, and he has been a rock for me through every situation, every heart ache, and every happiness. I trust Nathan implicitly, and he has earned that trust over and over again. He has been my biggest supporter in whatever I have done, cheering me on in everything. He isn't perfect, but he is perfect for me.

This Valentine's, I thought giving you a glimpse of Nathan would give you a much better idea of why I am who I am. He has changed my life for the better, and I will never get over being grateful for the love he has brought to my life!