Happy Birthday Mrs. Winston

I am guest blogging today.  I am Natalie’s husband…and today is Mrs. Winston’s birthday.  (Back story…Laura Shepard thought our names were JT and Natalie Winston.)  Nat and I have been together 5 years now, and married for just over 1.  We are still learning each other and learning about life together.  We certainly have had our highs and lows…as I’m sure all of you have.  And I think we can all agree that it’s those peaks and valleys that make a relationship stronger, and a zest for life grow.  So for today’s guest blog, I thought I’d share 43 things that I find fascinating and love about Nat so far.  Mrs. Winston…I hope you enjoy…

1.       You only eat strawberry jelly on pancakes.  Only strawberry jelly.

2.       You struggle with escalators.  Still.

3.       You think I’m funny.  Most times.

4.       You love our kitties. 

5.       You do all our laundry. 

6.       You still watch Y&R.  Really?

7.       Your self-proclaimed PI skills

8.       You turn the page.

9.       Your faith in God

10.   Your ever enduring strength.  I hope you realize this more and more.

11.   Your will to always want to be better

12.   All you do for your parents

13.   You have a heart of gold.  Pure.

14.   Your charitable nature

15.   You leave shoes all over the house.  All over.

16.   You can cook inside, while I do outside.

17.   Your willingness and desire to please

18.   Your out and out refusal to watch any fantasy movie.  No budging.

19.   You can be almost as stubborn as me.

20.   You laugh, and others laugh with you.

21.   You cry.

22.   Your scrambled eggs

23.   You love football Saturdays.

24.   Knowing you hurt when I hurt

25.   Knowing you are pleased when I am pleased

26.   You still have your close childhood friends.

27.   It’s impossible to get you out of the house before noon on Saturdays.

28.   You got me back in church.

29.   You genuinely want to know about my day.

30.   Your positive outlook and spirit

31.   Your fierce work ethic

32.   You are completely unable to tell any story in less than 30 minutes.

33.   You eat medium rare steak now.  Better, right?

34.   You recognize both of our strengths, and guide us to utilize them.

35.   You can ask for help.

36.   You try hard not to judge.

37.   You have a great ability to empathize.

38.   You break too hard when you drive.  It scares me.

39.   You say you are sorry.  And you’ve taught me the value in me doing the same.

40.   You think you can multi-task.

41.   You accepted my ring, and gave me one of my own.

42.   You want to make a good life with me, because…

43.   You truly and unconditionally love me…and I feel it every day. 

I’m sure all of you out there have your own lists for your love ones.  My hope is that we all can see these types of things in all people in our lives.  I personally found that making this list was fun, it helps me realize how lucky I am to have my wife, and it makes me want to be a better man for it.  She gives me these things constantly, and what I owe her can never be repayed.  I can only say to you Nat - it is these things…only the tip of the iceberg as we continue our journey together…that make me love you…today and always.  You have my heart.  Happy Birthday Mrs. Winston! 

And may God bless us all with many, many more.