10 Years

This week Cody and I will celebrate our 10 year anniversary. It's hard to believe that a decade has passed since that day we stood at the front of a small chapel. I remember every detail so clearly. My friend Ellen played the violin so beautifully. I felt like a princess in my white gown. We were surrounded by family and friends. I had so much birdseed in my hair and clothes on the ride to the airport. And I had enough bobby pins in my hair to warrant a search with the hand held wand at the security gate. We went to The Salish Lodge outside of Seattle for our honeymoon. There was a beautiful waterfall there. I have a framed photo of that waterfall on my bookshelf. Will my great-grandchildren have that photo tucked away somewhere in 70 years?

In honor of our 10 years together, I am sharing 10 things I appreciate about Cody. Some are single acts, others are personality traits or things he does time and time again. I don't claim that any of these are the most important or most endearing traits of his. These are just 10 things that come to mind that may reveal more about his character and why I have been so blessed to be his wife for 10 years.

1. In college, he wrote me tons of love letters and poetry. And he was really good at it. He might think that dents his manly image, but I think all women know that it takes a real man to write a good love letter.

2. On my first Mother's Day, he gave me a beautiful pearl necklace. It was perfect. He knows what I like.

3. Almost every evening when the weather is nice, he takes the kids outside for a while to play. It gives me a chance to do some cleaning up or just relax and do something for myself.

4. I almost combined this with number 3, but it's a totally separate thing he does that I love. He gives the kids their baths. I've always disliked getting on my knees and leaning over the tub. He never complains.

5. He has never, ever lost his temper with me or anyone else for that matter. I love the calm consistency he provides for me and the kids.

6. He doesn't give up. He's one of the most determined people I know. If things get difficult...he keeps going. I can always count on him.

7. He is generous. He gives his time and money to help others. He gives to me and the kids constantly.

8. He is forgiving. I've made a lot of mistakes and he has never held a single one against me.

9. He let me get a cat when we had been married for a couple of years even though he really didn't want one. That may not sound like such a big deal, but to me it sums up another of his great qualities: sacrifice.

10. He loves me just the way I am. He has never expected me to change or be a better person even though I could grow in a lot of areas. He is unconditionally in love with me.