10 Reasons Why I Love My Husband

1. He made cookies this week.
So what that it was the second time in our 12-year marriage. They were very good cookies!

2. He bought me a shirt today instead of roses.
Maybe I'm practical. Maybe it's my runner-soul. Maybe I'm really not crazy about roses. A Smartwool shirt I wanted and a Smartwool shirt I got.

3. He cleans up after dinner.
It's kind of a sneaky thing. He does it and won't talk about it (like he's really not doing it). Whatever. The kitchen always looks better than when I do it.

4. He encourages me to take risks.
From small things to consistent winter runs to big things like starting 2 businesses, Erik has helped me embrace and enjoy challenges. And change. "Life is short, do what you love," he says.

5. He's level-headed.
I'm not sure if that's the right term but nothing rattles him. Not me. Not bills. Not covert government operatives. Which is why he's good at doing whatever he does.

6. He's a life-long learner.
Right now he's reading everything he can about Venezuela, China and Mexico. And trying to be fluent in another language. And embracing long hikes, biking and traveling. And Spanish movies. And...

It's sexy to know I'll never figure out the depth of this man. As long as the 4 stacks of books by the bed don't topple over and kill us both.

7. He's really funny.
When we first dated I couldn't stop laughing. Even when he was talking about serious things, like wanting to marry me. He can still help me see the lighter side of life.

8. He leaves me alone.
We like some things that are the same. We also have separate interests. He makes me think of that Rainer Maria Rilke line about love being two trees sheltering one another.

9. He likes being at home with us.
I let him think he drives me crazy when he's home with us but - shhh - I really enjoy it when he's here. He reads for long hours. He pesters the kids. He "checks" the weather by opening the back door and making the kitchen all cold (actually, that drives me nuts!).

10. He's stayed around through thick and thin.
We've lived in 2 apartments, 2 houses and 3 states. We've had 2 kids, one dog. We've lost close friends and family. He's had 3 job changes. I've had 5. We've endured so far, living each minute together in high and low. Good cooking and bad.

That's all. Thanks, Dear.