Eleven

This is the two of us in Alaska – the place we met.  We were on a hike when this picture was taken. So young.  I was so smitten.

June 30, 2001

Just a little giddy

On the beach in Nassau

Hiking along the French coast

Virginia Beach 2004

Morning in Erque, France

5 year anniversary

Mount Rushmore (Newly pregnant with two babes here and was exhausted the entire trip!)

Becoming parents

Vacationing together.

11 years later. This was taken the other night at dinner. A dear friend came over to watch the kids so Chris and I could sneak out for sushi and then follow up with dinner and wine on the patio of an Italian restaurant nearby.  It was a lovely evening.

What a day to celebrate, to remember, to reflect on this marriage.

Chris and I both commented the other day that we feel like our marriage is the strongest it has ever been.  That’s a nice place to be.

When we think back to the 22 year old man and woman that married each other in that small non-air-conditioned church in Appleton, Minnesota we are struck by just how much we have grown and learned since that day. 

There were many things about marriage that neither of us were prepared for or anticipating.  There have been some awesome highs and some pretty devastating lows along the way – but here we stand today.

Not growing complacent, but gaining an appreciation and an understanding of just what it means to truly love each other – to truly think outside of ourselves and our selfish desires – and to keep the lines of communication open.

Lately, after we put the kids to bed, Chris and I sit on our four season porch, open up all the windows, and just talk as we watch the moon come out.  I love that time of day.  On the mornings when we’re home together we head there with our cup of coffee and watch the day unfolding.  There is nothing in the world I love more than just talking with my husband.

In honor of him, and in the effort of slowing down and really appreciating this man God has given me – here is my top 11 things I love about Chris:

1. His incredible work ethic.  He works hard for our family – not just at his job, but also here at home.  He is most certainly not a couch potato.

2. His spontaneous goofy side.  He has embarrassed me countless times throughout the years.  He has no filter and thinks the most inappropriate things are funny.  Like the time we had a few more than 10 items in our basket and Chris urged us to use the fast lane anyhow.  We get up there and he loudly starts saying things like, “Beth – I told you we had more than 10 things!”  Then he looks at the cashier and says, “I’m sorry sir.  I told her we had more than ten things and shouldn’t have come to your line, but she insisted.”  Then he just looks at me and shakes his head. 

3. His talents.  This man is uber talented.  Cooking, construction, computers…Almost to the point where I wonder just what it is that this man can’t do! 

4. His love for family.  He is an incredible father.  That has been awesome to watch.  He truly delights in his children and loves spending time with them.

5. His attention to the details.  This trait has also driven me batty over the years, but the way he analyzes everything, I have found, can also be an incredible strength.

6. His support of me.  He was the one who pushed me to return to college when we met.  He believed in me and still does to this day.

7. His mind for budgeting.  When we first married Chris and I had no clue about money management.  We would cheer at the end of every month if we had a few dollars remaining in our checkbook.  About 7 years ago Chris stumbled upon Dave Ramsey and the way that we view money has changed entirely.  I am thankful for the peace this new way of handling our finances has brought in to our home.

8. His sense of humor.  It’ll catch you off guard.  He’s witty and has this dry sense of humor that just makes me laugh.

9. The way that he loves me.

10. The way he treats my family and his own.  He realizes the importance of family, particularly our parents, and loves mine as if they were his own. 

11. His convictions.  Chris is not the kind of man who is going to waiver just because the crowd is doing so.  He knows what he believes and he is not afraid to stand up for those rights. 

Happy 11 years babe. Moving on to 12.

5.