For Lee...

Top 1o (well, 11) Reasons I Adore My Husband: (This wasn't easy-it was hard to condense!)

11. The way he talks to me. We talk ALL the time and about everything under the sun-the good, bad and ugly. I would even go so far to say that he does more of the talking around here than I do. The statistics that say women are more conversational than men do not apply in this household!

10. The way he wakes up so cheerfully and pleasant, no matter what time of day/night, and no matter how much sleep he hasn't gotten. I've never seen him grouchy in the morning in the entire 12 years we've been married.

9. He is so laid back and has such a gentle spirit. (it's hard to not put this one closer to the top!) I love that he never has his own personal agenda or pushes his will onto anyone. He always goes with the flow, and that's really awesome.

8. The way he instinctively knows that my feet loved to be tickled, and he just does it. I very rarely have to ask. He's so thoughtful!

7. The way he makes me laugh, and that often I am the only one who really gets his bizarre but hysterical sense of humor. We belly laugh. I chuckle just thinking about it...he's SO funny!

6. The way he knows the real answer to just about anything I ask him. He's a literal genius. I'm not exaggerating. He'd never in a million years admit to that (which is another reason I love him so much)-but ask him sometime about his ACT and SAT scores, and who the first person was to receive a full academic scholarship to Samford. His intellect never ceases to amaze me.

5. The way he reveals his incredibly tender heart. He cries at the drop of a hat, especially when talking about the Lord. That makes him a real man to me.

4. The way he...well, none of your business. :)

3. The way he loves my children. I love that he is the only other person on earth that can adore my kids as much as I do. And he does it so well. I praise God for the example he sets for them.

2. The way he understands committment. He forgives. He forgives completely-in word and in deed. He has seen me at and been with me when I was at my very, very worst, and he loves me so much anyway. For better, for worse. Praise the Lord.

1. The way he loves God. I could honestly write paragraphs on this one.... His love and passion for Jesus is so real and so evident in his life. Pleasing and loving God is his number one priority. He has more intergrity than anyone I know. His wisdom exceeds his intellect. I can always count on him to lead me spiritually, and to help me make wise choices-which is an invaluable asset to me. His love for the Lord completely spills over into his love for me. To say that he's an inspiration to me is an understatement. Lee lives what he believes every single day.

I write this list mostly for Lee, but also a little for myself, and a little for my children. In times of difficulty, stress, conflict, or whatever, I want to be able to pull this list out and reflect on the good qualities about the man I married. He's not perfect, but he is perfect for me. He is who I prayed for 17 years ago, when I asked the Lord to let me marry a man that loved Him more than he could ever love me. That's exactly what I got! I pray that all of my girls will marry a man just like their daddy-but I often wonder if it's possible. Lee is just the absolute best, as far as I'm concerned. I praise God for him daily, many times a day. Our relationship is by no means perfect, but we're making it, us and God.

I love you, Lee...you're my very best friend. This list doesn't do you justice-words are utterly and completely inadequate!

"Come glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." Ps. 34:3