Ten

Today I celebrate 10 amazing years with my wife, Kari. We spent the day at a water park with my niece and nephew, and then had grilled steaks with my parents and sister, Jen, who also provided a gigantic cookie cake. But I think an anniversary like this deserves more than one day of fun, so we hope to try a restaurant this weekend (Berns? Bailey's? Bella Brava?).

Sometimes I struggle to express how much Kari means to me. She is so dynamic and still surprises me with the things she can do and how awesome she is. Just the other day, she was coloring with my niece and nephew, and then showed me her work: it was the cutest picture of our house. I was like, what? I didn't know you could draw!

So, for our Tenth, here are my Top Ten Reasons Why I Am Still Head Over Heels for Kari (these are in random order and do not at all encompass all my reasons):

10. Kari loves being involved in my family. She is so willing to do activities with, learn about, and be a part of our extended family. For example, she lovingly spent today playing with my niece and nephew, getting sprayed with water guns, recoating sunscreen, and smiling at all the jumps and splashes.

9. She rubs my feet every night. If my legs are hurting from a run, she will also use "The Stick" to roll them out. In fact, if you have ever mentioned that you are having leg pain around Kari, chances are you have also been offered a massage or a roll with The Stick.

8. She loves food! She enjoys trying new flavors and makes eating each meal so much fun.

7. Snuggly, snuggly, snuggly. We love our cozy time. And in ten years, we have probably spent less than 10 nights apart from each other.

6. She is humble and teachable. Kari asks God (and me) how to improve and ways she can change. It is so comforting to know that if I ever have a problem with something, she will be willing to work on it.

5. Kari challenges me to be the best that I can be. She believes in me and encourages me to reach for my dreams. Like, helping me to figure out how to publish a children's book and pushing me to run even when I don't want to (because I really want to).

4. She says what she means and means what she says.

3. Our days are filled with laughter. I love that Kari's doesn't have to have the spotlight and she doesn't speak in punchlines, but rather has a dry, subtle sense of humor. She sneaks jokes in, teases affectionately, and never laughs at someone else's expense.

2. Her standards are high (and this isn't just a compliment to me!). Rather, she expects herself to do excellent work and she appreciates high-quality work in others, whether it be a job, food, literature, paint, etc.

1. Her confidence. Kari knows who she is and is not afraid or ashamed in any way. She loves people and is secure enough to be herself. That confidence drew me in over ten years ago, and still captivates me today.

This picture is on one of our hiking trips in the Great Smokey Mountains this summer. Which is one more wonderful thing about Kari: she loves travelling with me and doing adventurous things. We never tire of being together.

I love you, Kari! Happy Anniversary!