I recently saw somewhere that Saturday is International Men’s Day.  I started thinking about my husband when I saw that and how blessed I am to have him in my life.

Our marriage of 33 years has certainly not been without its ups and downs.  I won’t elaborate on them here, but trust me, we have had our share.  Good times and bad times are a certainty in any marriage.  Surviving them depends upon your commitment to one another.  And we have commitment on our side.

This is written as a thank you note to my husband, Paul, for all the special things that he is in my life that I often forget to say thank you for.

• Provider – thank you for always working so hard to provide for us through the years.  And for being so supportive of my decision to stop working, even though the added money would have helped us tremendously in preparing for retirement.
• Protector – I never feel safer than when I’m with you.  I know you are always looking out for me, and sometimes that’s not such an easy task!
• Grandpa – I love to watch you with our grandchildren and to know that you love them as I do.
• Romantic – Your poems and love notes through the years have been beautiful and will always, always be treasured.
• Mechanic – I can’t even begin to imagine the money you have saved us by having the ability to work on our vehicles through the years.  Thank you.
• Handyman – I have often marveled at everything you know how to do.  In fact, how many times have I asked you “How do you know how to do that?” You just seem to know how to fix or repair just about anything.  Once again, a fortune saved in home repairs and maintenance.
• Faithful – thank you for being faithful to me and to our life together.
• Dependable – I know that I can depend on you to come to my rescue whenever I need you.  (Locking keys in the car, running out of gas, forgetting my wallet and much, much more.)  And I can depend on you to do what you say you will do.
• Fun – for all the years of laughing together and enjoying being together.  How many times through the years have I said to you, “I have more fun with you than anyone”.  Lots of times, I know that!
• Chivalrous – chivalry is not dead and I am so glad.  After 33 years you still open every door for me, pull out my chair for me and offer your arm or hand as we walk.
• Housework and cooking – I know these aren’t your favorite things, but you have always stepped up to the plate and pitched in and helped.
• Always willing to lend a helping hand – Maybe you don’t realize that I notice how often you offer to help someone out, but I do.  Of course you always offer to help our family, but your helpfulness goes far beyond that.

Most of all, thank you for loving me and being my soulmate.  Life can be tough, but having someone to lean on can get you through it.  Let’s keep leaning!

Love,

P.S.  Do you have a special someone in your life that you often forget to say thank you to or to let them know how much they mean to you?

I love Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten”, and this is my favorite line:

“When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.”  Well said.

This may be shared on some of the lovely link parties found on my “Where I Party” page.