It's been another year.

A year of being woo'ed and loved every moment by this man:

A year filled with a heck of a lot of stress, but also crammed full of dandy times together, 

like our Komet hockey nights...

Another year with this person who cares for me like no other, believes in me, and spends a good bit of time pulling me thru by doing crazy stuff like taking me to beach when I 

just. can't. take. one. more. gloomy. day. of. winter.

Or hauling our family down to hang with my extended family, who he knows will put a smile on me face.

(only folks missing are my oldest daughter and her hubs)

I happen to have snagged a man who is also the greatest listener ever, and he doesn't just listen to me:

 (camping with the boys on the hottest weekend of the summer)

(at our dear friends' 40th anniversary party)

(chatting with our oldest son...)

He's devoted to those in his care, be it his kids, those who have the privilege to work for him, his friends, or those he volunteers to help:

(receiving a thanks for coaching our youngest son's soccer team)

I watched this year as he embraced a young man without a lot of direction, became his mentor/friend and instilled hope to a hopeless situation.  It humbled me, and amazed my daughter, who's new husband is that very boy.

He's a pro at that.  At offering his whole self to those who are wallowing in the depths.  

Although I'm in a dark place, so dark I feel sometimes I can't even reach out for help, he climbs down to the bottom of the well and pulls me back to the light. I've watched him do this with each of my kids, with his employees, with those he serves when on missions trips.  

He is a rock. 

He is my rock.

26 years is a long time.  A really long time.  

But not long enough when you're bound to such a one as this.

Happy Anniversary to the one my very soul adores above all others.

"He's more myself than I am.

Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."

-Emily Bronte