The questions were hanging in the air, waiting to be answered.

But who wants to tell brothers about “this guy”. Even though you are in your mid-20’s.

Knowing full well that “this guy” would get the third degree or even worse.

Still, I knew that I couldn’t put off the questions for too long, especially since he was interested in getting serious. Moving things beyond a friendship.

“Who’s this guy…?” the question would start.

This guy who I went mountain biking with. This guy who sat up all night with me while I was throwing up and had no one to help me. The guy friend that I worked along side of in the Youth Ministry. This guy who seemed to be in every conversation…although, I sure didn’t think I talked about him that much. This guy ♦who had stolen my heart completely (was it obvious?).

This guy…

Yeah, that one.

He’s a great one. A keeper, as my Grandfather would say. He’s been in my life for 15 years now. I’d like to tell you a bit about him and why I am so grateful for him.

I fell in love with him one day while we were visiting his parents. That particular day, a phone call came in about his great grandmother, whom his mother loved so much. She had fallen and was in the hospital. Mom came in from a walk and my darling sat her down and in the most gentle way broke the news. I knew it in a moment. I loved this dear friend of mine. He was meant to be mine.

WOW! Were we young! This was early thirties!

I love his kind gentle spirit that knows when to soften a blow.

I love his willingness to stand on the other side of the “line in the sand” when others aren’t.

I love the way he leads our family…(most of the time)…gotta be honest here.

He’s a hard worker.

His integrity is very important to him.

He’s still cute all these years later.

He can fix my bike!

He’s learned so much and longs for a deeper relationship with Christ.

He leads…too bad I’m a terrible follower…but I’m trying.

He thinks long and hard about major decisions.

He’s committed to family.

He’s not a big sports fan taking tons of time away from the family.

He’s really, really smart. Seriously. He was a Dean’s List, 4.0 smarty, working on 2 degrees at the same time.

He digs and digs until he finds an answer. In fact he’s in the other room looking up stuff after a discussion with some friends over doctrinal issues he’s not sure he’s ready to take a stand on.

He loves playing with the children.

I love that he wants our children to live a life for Christ.

I love that he leads our family in worship.

He wants his family to serve God whole-heartedly.

He’s committed to homeschooling.

He’d love to have a house full of children.He believes that children are an eternal investment well worth living for.

Funny aside: when we got married we’d have this little argument over the number of children we were going to have. He wanted six. I said, “two”.

He’d shoot back, “six”.

“Two.”

“Six.”

“Okay, three.”

“Six.”

Now, I see things his way. God has changed my heart. We’ll see what He does.

I love that he dreams big dreams.

He’s sweet, gentle and kind-hearted.

He’s a wonderful father. A great dad who pours so much into his children.

He’s an engineer…living with an engineer always proves to be an adventure.

He gets me water every night before bed and puts it on my nightstand.

He’s a gentleman.

He does night duty with babies!!!! Yes, ladies, a lot of night duty, not just once in while.

He gets me chocolate when I’m feeling low. Usually Dove Promises.

He’s my sweetheart.

My gift from God.

#410-440

Photos: getting ready for a mountain bike day, Tony just the other day, us almost 10 years ago, Daddy praying with the children.