Happy 40th Birthday, Eddie!

My sweet, handsome husband is FORTY years old today! We have been celebrating together since his 27th birthday (and I thought he was SO OLD then!). We've been through a LOT in those 13 years!

  He requested to SKIP the day altogether (I suggested a party, a family meal, a trip out of town), but we can't just let that happen. We aren't throwing an "over-the-hill" celebration, but a "we're so happy for your 40 years" celebration! The boys are SO excited to do a few things for him. We've compiled a list of 40 things we love about him, we're cooking him one of his favorite suppers, and I will hopefully have a chocolate sheet cake ready for him tonight after Will's baseball practice. I haven't made one in a few years so I'm a little nervous! We did get him a gift, but it isn't a great one. This man is the opposite of materialistic and it makes gift buying SOOOO difficult. He wants a pair of RED cowboy boots (what in the world?!), so we'll wrap up a coupon for that. And he has wanted to go to Nashville, Tennessee for a LONG time so I'm hoping he'll pick a weekend so that we can go and explore that fun city! And then we have the gift that he can unwrap today that isn't much fun, but is something he did say he wanted and is something tangible for today!

This man is such an amazing example of selflessness and love. If you know him, I think you'll agree with that! He is SERIOUSLY kind and generous, will do anything for you, and isn't afraid to jump in and help. His love language is acts of service and he is all about loving on people that way. Whether it's cleaning our kitchen at home or serving people with the Salvation Army, he is your man if you need someone to help.

He is definitely the perfect complement to my crazy self - he talks me down when I get wound up and keeps me calm and semi-sane most of the time - and I am so proud that I get to be the one that does life with him. He's my favorite, for sure!

We love you, Eddie, and hope that your birthday is wonderful, even if you don't want to acknowledge it!