Birfday Bidness: a house log
As you folks might know, last Thursday was John’s 31st birthday and West Elm in Houston whipped up this amaaaaaazingly Hands-on-riffic cake for him. #edibletapemeasure #umyeahtheressawdust
Every year we write birthday posts about what we got each other and this year John in fact got (well, is getting, since I am letting him pick it out) a nail gun (more info on that when we get it). So because I do not have photos of him holding up various presents like we have shared in former years like this post from last year) I thought I’d over-share slash cheese it up on a Tuesday afternoon with a little brain dump of seven things I enjoy about John (surprise, honey!). #warningitssappy
After all, this is certainly a week for being grateful. And since this whole journal is in short simply a diary of our lives, I thought it was about time that I shouted a few cheeseball-but-true things from the rooftops. Which is not to say that we never fight (if you believe that I have a talking ceramic animal to sell you) but although we are far from ideal, I am so glad he’s mine. Here is what I am thankful for:
1 – John’s enjoy of Clara and his patience with her – even when I am about to lose my mind he’s my rock. I enjoy how imaginative he is with her and I do not think there is anything sexier than walking into a room and seeing your hubby whipping up a wooden sandwich with your daughter at her play kitchen that he built for her. Or lazing around wearing matching shirts and discussing the merits of a table saw versus a hand saw. Am I right?
2 – His ability to enjoy a small chihuahua simply as much as I do… even though when we adopted Burger John said he “looked like an alien” and acted like the dog would be my thing. I think by that weekend Burger had him whipped. And that, my friends, is a guy who is comfortable with his dude-dom. I am telling you, walking a compact dog is the sign of a real man (it might be a good test of marriage material to those still dating… will he man up and take the leash…?). There is not an ounce of I-will not-do-that-because-it is-not-manly-sufficient-and people-will-see-me in John (likely thanks to him growing up with three sisters) and I enjoy that about him. He’s confident. He does not look around sheepishly. If the dog needs to go out, he takes him out. If I need lady-items from the supermarket and he’s doing the shopping, he buys them for me. I will not say he does not blush and hide them in the bottom of the cart, but he gets things done. And I enjoy it.
3 – That he kissed me first. Anyone who knows us loves this tidbit since I am the loud outgoing one and they picture me pouncing on him… which also happens – but he pounced first. Yup, he’s a man of action. And he’s shy but confident, which might be the ideal combo. Plus I gotta say that I enjoy the way he dresses. Some girls are into giant built folks who can scarf serious quantities of beef jerky, but I could not be more into tall, dork, and handsome. In short when John threw on this shirt with this sweater a few months ago, I swooned. It is little things like his enjoy of old wooden boxes or his excitement to fire up a new tool (he gets a gleam in his eye like a kid opening a new toy) that get me all giddy. It is like his excitement is contagious. All of this rambling is to say: dude’s got style.
4 – His brain. There are many sexy things about my husband, but his swift wit is unparalleled and he makes me laugh until my stomach hurts at least once a day with some spur-of-the-moment quip that leaves me wiping the tears out of my eyes from cry-laughing. To anyone who knows us, John’s sense of humor is one of his most defining characteristics (along with his whip smart brain full of seemingly limitless trivia knowledge). Heck, he’s so smart that even though he has the answer 99% of the time (be it Hands-on or life related) he somehow makes me feel like I figure out my fair share of things too. How does he do that?! It is sheer brilliance. Also he looks fairly darn good in pumpkin sunglasses. Simply sayin’.
5 – His devotion to me and our family. He makes us feel safe, enjoyed, and appreciated – I honestly could not be more grateful. I have had relationships in the past that felt like I was chasing that person more or trying harder than them, but John makes me (and Clara) feel secure and cherished and I could nearly cry talking about it. Sorry, I warned you folks this would get sappy…
6 – His calloused project-loving hands and his sweet smile (this might veer off into TMI territory, but he has the best lips ever). #backoffhesmine #putabirdonhim
7 – His willingness to assist me with “one more thing” and to lay in bed at night and brainstorm our next project when I know he might rather be watching TV or out for a run or… you know, getting friendly… while I am running my mouth about some idea instead. I could not be luckier that he’s glad to be “in the trenches” with me every day. It is remarkable that he has his own interests (he can train and run a half marathon) while still staying involved with us and not checking out.
I think some folks might question what kind of man runs a Hands-on journal with his wife about paint and fabric and family and my answer is: a real man. I enjoy that he can build Clara a dollhouse and code our whole website and has even built a deck for our family – although he has no background in any of that stuff. He figures things out as he goes and he’s not afraid to jump in and learn new things. And I enjoy that he’s not scared to weigh in on my hair-brained decorating sprees instead of saying “you handle the girly stuff and I will stick to the power tools.” He truly makes me feel like we are a team and we are in it together and as a result our house feels like us. I honestly have no idea how I got so lucky. I promise I did not hypnotize him or anything.
In summary: he’s the one. Mah man. And he makes me happier than bees riding bicycles (and those make me fairly glad). Glad 31st birthday, babe! Thanks for everything and then some.
And so ends my lovefest for el hubbo. What are you folks grateful for? Any birthdays going on in your house? Who is getting what?
UPDATE: John discovered the post! At last! After doing a project in the basement, uploading photos, and editing a video (all while I sweated profusely at the computer). Here is his reaction.
Psst- Want more lovey-dovey posts? We have a bunch of them here. And for those wondering how we resolve decorating disputes, here is a post about that for ya.
