It’s February and you know what that means …. Valentine’s Day! It’s the day to buy overpriced flowers and stuffed animals and chocolates. It’s the day we’re supposed to celebrate love and go on a fancy date with our husband and make a cardboard box for the littles to collect school Valentine’s in (is this still a thing?).

I know someone is probably cringing at that right now. Am I right?

Every day is good day to love and appreciate your partner, your kids, your village or tribe, or whatever you want to call those closest to you.

And as you know, love doesn’t look like mugs with red hearts, or a chocolate in the shape of a cupid, or an expensive dinner.

Love is in the little things like…

Love is in the everyday moments both messy and beautiful. It’s filling up the car with gas so your partner doesn’t have to. It is emergency diaper runs, late night conversations, cuddling sick kiddos, bath time, cleaning up dog puke off the floor. It’s laughter and adventures to the park…

This is an open letter to my husband. It’s written with him in mind, because he’s my favorite. But it’s a shout out to all the hardworking dads out there. The dads who work hard, play hard, love hard. The dads who show up for their families and cheer loud and proud for their littles.

So, this Valentine’s season and every day, here’s to you dads. Thank you for all you do.

Dear husband,

You are essential and irreplaceable… and also a hunk. Grace calls your name, courage calls you to fight, and love brings you home. Your story is epic and I am so thankful I get to be a part of it.

You are so strong.

Even when exhaustion, doubt, and overwhelm come knocking and the weight of responsibility pulls, I see you face your fear and embrace courage.

You’ve got grit.

I see how you work diligently to provide for your family. I’m amazed by your tenacity and strength. I’m humbled by your love that fuels your every movement and decision.

Early on in our dating relationship, I knew I was going to marry you. Parked in the car on top of a mountain overlooking the city, the world our oyster. We shared big and small dreams and made plans to change the world. We envisioned marriage, kids, and a career where we could work side by side. Gazing into the sunset, the colors swirling over the city, we could almost see our dreams painted in the sky. Sitting there with you at the beginning of our great adventure, all I could think about was getting to the next chapter of our story.

You are fierce, in the best way possible.

Nothing you do is in small measures. You go big or go home. And to me, your dreams and ideas are home runs. To be honest, sometimes it is much easier for me to stay focused on taking care of our kids, home, and work than to take the time to look up and lock gazes with you. But in your eyes is a fiery battle cry for more. A “more” that inspires me to rise up and lean into your strength and bravery when I feel I have none left. No matter what, you show up for me, and I’m so thankful.

You are tender.

Tenderness and vulnerability can be a scary thing. On days when my stubborn streak is making its presence known, I wonder what would it look like if I let go and truly trusted you in this moment? It would look a lot like vulnerability, taste a bit like fear, but feel a whole lot like freedom. Because your tenderness and strength doesn’t take from mine, we add to each other’s and that is possibly one of the sexiest things about you (Note to husband: see separate list for the other things.)

You see me and value me and that speaks volumes of your character.

You see me as more than a mom. You are my husband. I am your bride and your best friend. Sometimes I fear all I am able to offer you is leftovers. Leftover energy, leftover affection and leftover love I have given our kids all day and all night long. You deserve more. You are my first love. Before kids, it was you and when they grow up and leave the house someday, it will still be you. In your own way, you invite me to get off my treadmill of resentment, frustration, and loneliness; and you invite me to embrace love and adventure.

Together, we’re changing the narrative and breaking generational baggage.

We are in this thing forever and we’re going to make it an incredible forever by choosing to love and commitment and fight together every single day. You honor our life, our love, and our dreams by taking risks, placing value in the small things, and creating a positive and hope-filled narrative. You turn towards me, pull me in, and you never let go. This is a game-changer and I’m so very thankful.

So my love, even when inner battles rage inside you (or inside me), when our life gets too busy and when we cannot remember we are actually living our dream, I see you, I love you, and you will always be my knight in shining armor. You are the epic warrior in my story, whom I will always stand by.

C.S Lewis wrote, “Now, at last, they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

With you, every day and every chapter is better than the one before. I cannot wait to see what else will be written in our story.

husband
Photo Credit: Alysia Loerch Photography