A Giant of a birthday

Today is my dear husband's 26th birthday!! That's right. I robbed the cradle, by a whole 33 days. Just call me a cougar.

This year is so different. For him and for me. But, this isn't the time to harp on the neg. Let's talk about why my husband the Giant deserves such a fantastic birthday.

Actually, since I can't send you a card my Love, I have come up with 26 reasons why I love you and why the world is a better place with you in it. This is just for you, in no particular order.

1. You helped give the world Cheyanne- thank you (OK yes that one is on top for a reason, but the rest are in no order).

2. You are loyal- you would give your last penny to a friend in need without hesitation.

3. You comfort me when no one else can- even when it is at 3am and I have woken you up for the fifth night in a row due to a horrible nightmare that has me shaken (which we both know has happened entirely too many times for my age).

4. Your strength- both physical (obviously), mental, emotional, and every other word that ends in '-al I think.

5. You make me a stronger and better person by encouraging me to be my best and reminding me I can always be better.

6. You are courageous- thankfully courageous for the both of us sometimes- you pick up the slack when I can't seem to fake it anymore.

7. You make me laugh- only you can talk like an old creepy cartoon perv or switch to Elmo and make any situation laughable even when I don't want  it to be-"Uh hehehe!" or "Jackpot!"

8.  The way that you always find the positive in a tough situation, and make sure I see it too.

9.  You love my family as much as I do- and they love you as their own as well Big Mike.

10. You refer to my mom as a saint, and it makes me laugh every time.

11. Home is in your arms no matter where we are.

12. You are technologically savvy- which has saved us both many times- thank God one of us is.

13. You've sacrificed- I mean, what other husband would willingly take his very pregnant wife to a teenage girl filled theatre to see a vampire movie she was dying to see when he could be doing practically anything else that he had even the slightest interest in? Only you. But seriously,  you have sacrificed everything of yourself for Cheyanne and I- and I am eternally grateful. Know that there truly has not been a single day that I don't appreciate your sacrifices.

14. Your cute butt.  No wait. Your sexy abs.  I mean. Your sexy physique. Dang it- Papaw's probably reading this... PG it. You are ridiculously good looking. There. Husband read between the lines... this is why we need a mailing address.

15. You listen to me ramble for hours on the phone recounting the minute by minute blow of my day despite the fact that you hate talking on the phone because you know that on some days I just need to have someone listen to me- someone that doesn't respond with Waaaah or Gaaah or Aaaaaah and is over the age of 7 months old at least.

16. The annoyingness that you are right about 90 80 75 percent of the time ;) - and no you may not bring this one up and use it against me in an argument next time. I will deny #16 fiercely if you do.

17. You are a surprise romantic- a Frank Sinatra hidden in a lineman's body.

18. You face obstacles head on and power through until you are on top.

19. You are a "silent" leader- your simple presence encourages those around you to be their best and hold their head a little higher.

20. You put up with my constant moments of weakness and remind me that hard times are short lived because good times are right around the corner.

21. You are an amazing daddy and hero to our little girl.

22. Your extreme patience with me even when I push you to your max limit- and yet you still love me.

23. You are the definition of determination and success- and I could not be more proud of you.

24. You are always good at everything at you do- athletics, cooking, construction, education, picking an amazing wife, etc.

25. The amazing new experiences and adventures that we have shared through the years- ones I would never want to share with anyone else as long as I live.

26. You are more than I ever dreamed that I deserve and probably still don't, but you don't remind me of that fact. You are undoubtedly my soul mate and my best friend and continue to love me despite myself and all the faults that come along with this package. On May 1st, 1985, you made the world a better place.

And bonus number 27 (because I can). I could come up with 26 times 26 more reasons why I love you because you are simply that amazing.

I am blessed and honored to be your wife. Even though I am not there with you, I am sending you 26 kisses, 26 hugs, 26 lovins, and 26 reasons why I believe that you are the greatest person in the world. I love you and wish you the happiest birthday.

Happy birthday My Love!!!