The rock and heart of our home turns “something” today!

I was out the other night with a friend/work colleague. We were heading to a work/social function and I was meeting her at her place. I told her I was just waiting for Rob to come home from taking Josh to his ref soccer game and then he was going to drive me to her house.

She commented how nice it was that he was going to drive me (I was avoiding taking the TTC (subway) and didn’t feel like finding parking as it was an event right downtown near the CN tower).

I told her, I knew. It was nice. And Rob is nice. And he is kind. And willing to do anything. For me. For the kids. And for so many others (which truthfully can drive me crazy, lol. He’s a much better person than me).

And I say he’s nice and kind and generous with me – but not in that way that I cringe at when I hear some men talk (or women talk about their men) – looking to get praise about the things he does for his wife…

No, Rob is not that kind of guy. He’s not doing things for praise, or power, or attention.

No, I agreed because he is the kind of person who just does things because the is a kind man and that is who he wants to be. He has made his family the centre of the his world. At times he has sacrificed career, hobbies, free time and sometimes even sanity, but he is a kind man to the very core.

Every year I spend with him, I develop more of a deep appreciation for him. We have had lots of changes this year, and lots more to come: a wedding, graduations, a mission, university, and lots and lots of job changes for both of us. And he is solid. Completely solid. Focused on making sure our family stays together and gets through all these changes even stronger. He stays focused on what is important to our family and doesn’t get distracted by the noise around us. And he is patient with me when I have anxiety and teary moments at all the changes and he is there to help me stay focused too – and to share a good laugh.

Because another thing I adore about this guy is how much he makes me laugh. Makes us all laugh. He is so good natured, rarely defensive, and can find the joy in everything.

I don’t want to embarrass him by gushing even more – because another one of his great qualities, is humility. Humble, humble, humble. If it weren’t for me gushing, you would not know how brilliant he is! The things he knows (and frankly, sometimes I have to question HOW and WHY he knows them)! Although I love that his curiousity, love of information, and knowledge of everything (music, sports, politics, pop culture, religion, science, cars, food, travel, economy etc.) seems to be a trait he has passed down to ALL of our kids. I sometimes sit back and listen to them all talking and am amazed at the topics and conversations (as well as the stupidities and silliness – it’s a nice balance) – and that is so much due to Rob and the environment of nurturing communication, intelligence. tolerance, service and humour that he has brought into our home, leading by example.

So on this day, I wish him a beautiful birthday. May we continue to get old together and be complete partner in all things. I am beyond blessed to have you as my forever.

xoxox

PS. Thanks for putting up with my shenanigans….