8.3.11

Dear Husband,

Remember in 1st grade when a boy would get the nerve to bring a girl a dandelion and the girl would throw it on the ground?  Sometimes I am that girl.  

And you know what you do?  You bring me another dandelion.

Thank you for always loving me the very best and most that you possibly can.

Love,

Bird

My Half Orange

There's a new duo up to all things good in the photography world at Half Orange Photography.  I dig their style, their effects, their perfect touch so much.  So much.

In Spanish culture, the term for soul mate is la media naranja which means half orange.

And the beauties at Half Orange Photography had a little contest last week- write about why your half orange inspires you to live a fuller life.

So I wrote this about my half orange:

My half orange is my missing piece.
He tells me I can do things I confidently know I cannot do.
He believes that God will use me in humongous ways if I will let Him, and he wants to come along for that ride.
He teaches me something new everyday.
He leads me the way I need to be lead.
He laughs at my jokes, which was, like, #1 on my man requirements.
He asks me how he can love me more, better, deeper.
He sees what I don't see in myself and dares me to dream bigger and bigger and bigger.
He gives the best hugs.
He pushes me in ways I need to be pushed and has changed me in every way I needed to be changed.
And he is a divine blessing that I will get on my knees and thank the sweet Lord for every day for the rest of my life.

It was nice to write about him again.  I haven't written him a letter on here in so long!!

So low and behold, mine was picked as a finalist!


Will you vote for us????


If we win, we get a photo shoot in, of all places, Austin friggin Texas.
We got married in Austin friggin Texas.
And you should know that I am desperate for some amazing photos of us.


Votes count until Thursday and there are tons of ways to vote.  


Check out the contest here.


You will need to like their page first, then you can vote.  NBD.


Got it?


Thank you. 


Now go squeeze your half orange.

Dear Husband,

Two years ago I was sitting in a condo in Austin, drinking my morning coffee, and thinking about you.  Someone told me I should probably start getting ready, and I was snapped into the reality that on that gorgeous day I was actually finally getting to marry you.  Oh happy day!!  In 2 years, you have changed me in every way I desperately needed to be changed.  You have encouraged me to do things no one ever told me I could do.  You support me when I want to try something new, you love me more and better than anyone on this earth ever could.  You are everything I needed and I will spend my days thanking God for you and wondering why He would ever choose to bless me with you.  You have bewitched my heart, and I love you madly.

Love,

Wife

2.24.11

Dear Husband,

I keep the breakfast/dinner table stocked with toys because you are a much better talker/listener when you can fidget.  Since I started doing this, our dinner talks have sometimes lasted hours.  I dig this.  My former co-worker (woot!) told me to tell you that she is proud of you for standing behind me when I make big life choices.  I second that motion. I am ready to jet this weekend.  Maybe I'll bring my new (still nameless) bike and teach you a few things.

Still not sure how my shifters work,

Wife

2.15.11

Dear Husband,

Your favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning is work on bikes in your jams (and in your new apron made by yours truly) while watching commercial free man shows through our awesome internet-TV cord thingy.  Holler for no cable.

Apparently my favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning is take blurry pictures.  You did such a great job on that bike.  I know she will be happy with her new owner.

And in other news: Yesterday.  Delicious dinner.   Blurry Pictures.

Fun walk home.

Best Valentine's Ever. 

Thank you.

Wife.

2.4.11

Dear Husband,

When the rest of the city has snow days (sans snow), and we have to go to work, we like to come home and play everything we would have played if we did have a snow day.  So last night, we put all 3 of our puffy vests on at once and jumped on the bed sumo style.

Due to my lack of jumping skills I may or may not have had to use a stool.

This morning, when you couldn't get the 4Runner out to go to work, you dressed up like Rambo and made me the best eggs of mah life all while checking the roads for my trek to the prison that has no mercy my place of employment.

Thank you for making my breakfast every. single. morning.

Happy weekend!

Wife

1.26.11

Dear Husband,

This weekend we spent all of Saturday morning at a bike swap selling our goods (and picking up some more...naturally).  I love watching you geek out with new cycling friends, like the Spanish Conquistador with the scarf and the hair and the killer bike.  As a treat for attending said bike swap, you bought me coffee and lunch at one of our favorites (who happened to be hosting said swap).  We talked and laughed and people watched our hearts out.  I love days like that day. 

I think the worst part about not running the marathon is the fact that you have to take my scooter back since I didn't earn it.  This totally ruins my plans of being awesome (I can only assume you did purchase one since YOU PROMISED one if I ran a marathon). And now, as we roll into what was once titled "Holycrapwe'rerunningamarathon Weekend" but is now titled "IcantbelieveIwokeupat5everySaturdayfornothing", I'll ice your booboo if you ice mine, and we'll get ridiculously excited for bike racing season.

And then our next Marathon.

Wife.

1.20.11

Dear husband,

I want you to know how proud I am of you for hanging up the bike and running your tree trunks off for this marathon.  You are a stellar athlete.  You will be fantastical.  Dear anyone who didn't get into the Houston marathon, I am sorry I took a spot and won't be using it.  If it helps, my little runner's heart is broken to little salt-grain sized pieces.  Dear rehab,  I want my small fortune back.  Dear bicycle, looking forward to getting to know you better.  Dear month of January, I am ready for you to go now.  Dear Man with a Plan, sometimes I don't get you.  That's okay.  Dear husband, I'll start working on my bedazzled shirt I plan to wear to cheer you on.  Run for it, Marty!

Wife

1.13.11

Dear husband,

Last weekend, you met your 15th man crush when we met up with our pen pals.  I am okay with all of the man love you have to give because all of said man crushes have the potential to bless your face off with good friendship.  We are running a marathon (read: 26.2 miles) two weeks from this Saturday.  This morning, I asked you if you are up for running 26.2 miles.  You told me you do not plan to run it, but do indeed plan to traverse 26.2 miles with can include one leg hopping and crawling.  The only way we will finish this run is if God wants us to.  As of late, I have been wearing your vest to bed because my body makes no heat, and every time, you shout, "RUN FOR IT, MARTY!"  You have been unrealistically patient with me for, oh about 2 months now, while I go back and forth trying to make a big life decision.  For this I showered you with man treats such as Mount Everest documentary, spaghetti and meatballs, not making plans this weekend, and doing your chores.  Whatever this year brings, it's on like Donkey Kong.

Team C fo life.

Wife.

1.5.11

Dear husband, over the past few days, you have shoved liquids down my throat, taken me home early from New Years Eve, made impromptu dinners because of my slacking, fixed the netflix on the TV for me, made me laugh, brought me tylenol, talked deep, and kissed my forehead 1.4 million times.  I may start calling you Patch Adams.

Dear marathon, you stress me out more than my job lately.  Wait no.  But you're a close second on the stress o meter.

Dear Lisa , today is your SEVENTH BIRTHDAY!!  Did you know I sometimes daydream that I get to meet you and hug your widdle body so tight that you beg for me to let go a little bit in your beautiful Indian language?  I hope this is the best birthday of your life and I hope you love your birthday gift from Devin and me and MOST OF ALL I hope I get to meet you someday very soon.

Dear husband, since mid December, you have done hundreds of pull ups, push ups, and pick ups (and got more hot tamale muscles I must say).  I have no problem with this.

Wife.

12.16.10

Dear Husband,

3 nights ago, you told me I laughed hysterically during my sleep.  I can only assume I had said something hilarious in nighttime land.  2 nights ago, I dreamed you were chasing 2 iguanas through our apartment.  One was orange and one had a tree frog riding on his back.  Last night, I dreamed we missed the expo for the marathon, forgot our bib numbers, forgot our chips, you left me, I got lost, and when I told you I JUST WANT TO FINISH you broke the news that they had already packed up the finish line.  When I ask you to interpret my dreams, you rethink my sanity.

Also, I saw this urgent message the other day.

Good news!  If we win, we will have $34,000,000 (which is $34 million) more than Mike the Situation.  

I know how much that bothers you.

NO WHAMMY NO WHAMMY!

Wife

12.9.10

Dear Husband,

The other day I came home with bummer news, and I was one sad pup. 

You told me you had a surprise for me.  

We threw our running shoes on and ran about a mile and a half from home.  

We got to the end of the road and this came out of nowhere

You're right.  It is my favorite one of the year.

Wife

12.1.10

Dear Husband,

As I have not run in a week due to sickalifalis, prepare to dominate me on this weekend's long run.  And probably in the marathon.  Way proud of you.   Another reason I'm proud of you?  You kept it classy last night and didn't feast your eyes on the Victoria Secret fashion show like the rest of the nation.  That's hot.  Just sayin'.

Love,
Wife

11.11.10

Dear Husband,

When you leaped off of that 50 bazillion foot high cliff into a lake of cold water, I was the proudest I've ever been to be your wife.  You're welcome for being awesome and not freaking.  Last night you told me your new marathon time goal is to beat Oprah.  A brave goal, my friend.  We are in neck deep in marathon training.  Crap.

Wife

10.27.10

Dear Husband,

Lately you have been making my lunch for me MANY more times than I make yours for you.  For this, I am not sorry, because my lunch tastes 1000 times better when you make it.  Dear Biggest Loser, thank you for providing people and/or scenarios that result in my husband making some knee-slapping jokes.  Keep em comin'.  Dear Halloween, I am so sad to miss you again this year.  A pirate next year, for sure.  Dear husband, yesterday we had our feet scanned at the Mizuno truck.  With our powers combined, our beebs should have normal feet.  Dear cuckoo patient, you make my job interesting...and a hair over a smidge dangerous.  Good thing I am training for the SWAT team.  Dear husband, on Sunday you did your first official official (or it seemed official to me) bike consulting thingy.  You are brilliant.

Wife.

10.15.10

Dear Husband,

Sometimes I like to spice up my Friday morning. Sometimes that means driving to work in our party glasses from the Jellie wedding and dancing in the parking lot. Hopefully these are some of the reasons that you married me.




You are leaving me this weekend to go play mountain bikes with all of your boyfriends. I am jealous of the food you will have there. Also, Dan, can we split the winnings? I made the pies. Unless they’re gross…then Devin made the pies.

While you’re gone I have very exciting, secret, scandalous plans.

Things like reading without interruption. Side eye.

Things like 13 mile runs at 6am on a Saturday. This will include me waking up at 5, turning ALL of the lights on, making coffee in the loud coffee pot, and perhaps turning on some inspirational jams. Like Seal.

Things like a delicious dinner with the birthday kids.

Let’s stay concussion free and clothed this weekend, k?

Wife.

10.5.10

Dear Husband,

Has it been a year and a half? Time flies when your life is a constant dance party with your best friend in ze world. Best year and a half of my friggin’ life.

Thank you for your forgiveness and for giving me constant grace so I can try to get better at communicating with you. I totally sucked at that last week. I swear I cannot wrap my mind around the amount of patience you have for me.

This weekend, when the big cheese tried to ruin my life, you totally upped your game and made it one of the best weekends in our matrimonial history. Thank you for your support when I want to walk STORM out of there. Thank you for your flexibility. Thank you for remembering I am a spa addict (a total understatement). Thank you for being patient. Thank you for understanding. Most importantly, thank you for the vodka cranberry you had waiting for me.

Bottoms up,

Wife

9.22.10

Dear Husband,

The other night we were working on some paperwork, and you held your hands up L-7 weenie style, measured it to my face, and told me I could be a Lego character.  I can only assume you meant one of these.  I think it would be safe to put those on my Christmas list.

Dear lady with the apricot friend running around Rice,

I often run behind you and think we would be friends if I had one too.  And they could be friends.  Someday! 

Dear Crock Pot Dinner,

While I love your convenience on Bible Study Wednesdays, my hands will smell like garlic for the remainder of the day.  I do not enjoy this.

Dear Biggest Loser,

So glad you’re back.  My love for Jillian was beginning to fade into a love for Jackie Warner, and we all know that would be a stab in Jillian’s back.

Dear better half,

Monday night before bed, you stuck your thumb in my mouth and measured the thickness of my chubby cheeks by squishing them between your thumb and pointer.  Then you measured yours and informed me that my cheeks are indeed thicker than yours.  Thank you for loving me despite my inability to lose my baby fat soft cushion mallow face.

Dear Legs,

STELLAR run yesterday.  What the heck was that?!

Dear high of 88,

I’m getting out my winter coat.

Dear Beloved,

Nothing breaks my heart more than listening to you cough, snore, and talk in your sleep when you are down for the count with a cold.  Except the talking in your sleep has nothing to do with being sick.  I am ready for you to feel better so you will pay more attention to me than your netti pot.

Love,

Autumn Wife

9.16.10 or Just spending some time on the podium

Dear Husband,

You were so fast this weekend.

  

I still don’t get the hands up thing.  I am so proud of you.  Good racing.  Thank you for dealing with my running mental break downs this week and not leaving me.  Your patience floors me.  I am so grateful for your forgiving heart.

Wife

9.8.10

Dear husband,

1 word will do: secondfrigginplace!!!  So proud of you and your mad “I never train” mountain bike skills.  Last night you seriously made me laugh harder than I ever have with you.  For hours.  Love.

Dear Jillian Michaels,

Oh really?  Really?!  Eleventy billion sets of jumping squats?!  Pretty sure you made up some of those moves and people think you belong in the loon.  The rain forced us to skip our Tuesday run/ride and meet with you.  I think we forgot how much we loathe you, but we said it at least 12 times last night while you yelled in our faces.  PS I secretly love you.

Dear old cooking light magazine I bought at a used book sale,

My husband wants to marry you for the Latin baked chicken I made last night.  Until he took that first bite on the living room floor, I had never heard him say “THIS IS FRIGGINGOODCHICKEN!” so many times.

Dear marathon training,

You are slacking.  Get. it. together.

Dear September,

Devin and I made a goal for your duration.  It is much harder than we thought it would be.