An Ode the the Man

Ten things I love about you...

After writing my recent post about the youngest Boy, I was asked if I would be devoting a post to each family member. Seems fair enough.

The Man gets to go first. Because he's oldest (as he would point out though, not as old as me, by 77 ish days).

Note: These are in no particular order. Also I'm only doing 10. Because if I did them all I'd really be writing a book.

1. When we were newly pregnant (and I do mean we) and I said "I think we should think about having the baby at home" he didn't look at me like I was from Mars. He just said "If you've done your research and you think that's the best thing, I trust you. We should have the baby at home." Well ok. He did his research too. And sure enough we did it. And he was right there the whole time.

It was outstanding.

2. We met when we were 11. At the district spelling bee (I remember it better than him). No kidding. I'm not gonna lie, his blue eyes were the thing that I saw first. I love them. Now, I get to see them everyday. It's awesome. I hate to be focused on such things as this (and he may be embarrassed to read this) but he is a hot little number.

Mmhm.

Also, he won. He's a good speller (it's all about the brains man).

3. He loves to cook. No, seriously. He's good at it too. He makes a mean Kung Pao. Or fried rice with whatever is left over in fridge.

He also makes a mess of the kitchen, but he cleans up (see #8).

4. He loves my bigger post-pregnant body as much as he loved my little teeny pre-pregnant body (if not more). It's nice to not feel that Victoria's Secret skinny made-up augmented pressure from the man you love. He'd be downright mad if I even considered plastic surgery. He likes roundness. Wrinkles. Grey hair. My squishy belly.

Even if he liked my skinny body better, I sure can't tell.

5. He loves our little Ella. The way he calls her beautiful is ridiculously sweet. Like dripping with honey that's mixed with sugar that's on top of a twinkie and drizzled with syrup sweet.

If he's holding her it's all I can do to not cry.

6. And while we're on that... He loves the Big Kids. They aren't his biologically but you wouldn't know it to be around him. He helps with math, teaches drums, practices guitar. He takes them to lessons, shopping, comforts them when their fish die, rubs backs and feet, soothes nerves. It's exhausting but he is selfless with his time and energy.

Before he met me he had a cat.

Just a cat.

7. See #6: He plays guitar and drums. Both very well. I like that. A lot. We have a drum set smack in the middle of our living room. That is why. He plays sometimes when I am doing housework and I have to stop and wiggle a little bit.

He keeps me dancing.

8. He's no stranger to dishes. Or laundry. Or vacuuming. And he would do them totally unsolicited. If they haven't done a study on how men doing housework effects their romantic relationship, they really should.

I'll volunteer.

9. He's not pretentious. Or a hipster. Or a snob. Or an ass. He's a funny, intelligent, all around good guy. He's eco-aware and supports (if not pushes along) my efforts in living more green. He could get along with anyone... Except an opinionated, loudmouth, pushy conservative. If he runs into one of those, things are gonna get heated. But I love that too. If they're just conservative and not a jerk about it, he'll be delighted to share points of view rationally.

He is not apathetic.

10. When we got married in July we wrote our own vows. I listened very closely to his. And I'm pretty sure he carefully considered every word. In them he promised to rub my shoulders every night and to make me laugh every day and you know what, he really does it. I promised to be his lover and best friend.

And I totally am.

11. Bonus: He's a great kisser. You'll have to take my word for it.

(I know that's 11. It's my list.)