Dear Husband ‘O Mine,

I love you.  Exactly as you are.

You asked me a long time ago, why I love you and I replied for too many reasons to list.  Well, I’m going to try now, to tell you why and hopefully you will really understand that I truly do love you – so much.

You’re hot. lol  You know it, I know it, everyone knows it.  That’s the first reason.  Just joking…but seriously, it doesn’t hurt.  haha

You’re smart.  Not just kind of smart, but ridiculously smart.  I know you struggled in school and I’m sorry that the people raising you and working with you either didn’t have the resources or weren’t qualified to identify what resources would have been beneficial to you.  I firmly believe that every person can learn effectively, and I believe it is a matter of identifying how a person learns and then utilizing the correct tools that makes the learning effective.  I find it very difficult to watch you be judged by people who couldn’t even begin to understand concepts that come so easily to you.  I loath seeing you judged by people who lack perspective, depth, insight and accountability and to see the effect their judgement has on you.  You have been judged by people who are not intelligent enough to recognize your intelligence.  If it weren’t so offensive, it might be funny.  At the very least I might feel a little sorry for them. But because they hurt you, I don’t feel sorry for them.

Your own struggles have made you a wonderful teacher.  You can explain a concept to our kids in a way that I never could and with a patience that I don’t have.  The tricks that you have for math are fantastic and our girls have your knack for it.  Thank God!  lol

You are the best father.  Again, you can relate to our kids in ways that I never could.  You remember what it was like to be a kid and you get it.  I don’t think I ever was a kid, therefore I really don’t get it.  You give our children everything that I can’t.

You are an amazing friend.  You are there for your friends no matter what. To the detriment of your wife at times.

You have the most incredible work ethic.  To your own detriment at times.  Good thing we’re working on that.  🙂

You are beyond thoughtful and kind hearted.  You are generous, welcoming, accepting and forgiving.

You are good enough.  Just as you are.  You don’t need to change anything.  I love you exactly for who you are.  Today.  Right now.  And yesterday.  And as far back as 12 years, 9 months and 14 days ago. For exactly who you were.  We’ve both changed.  I won’t say I’m not grateful for some of the changes you’ve made.  I’m sure you would say the same about the changes in me.  But changes or no changes you’ve always been good enough just as you are.  Beyond good enough.  You need to know that.

I am sorry that you were raised by people who struggle with their own self-worth.  It has, unfortunately, led you to believe you have reason to question yours.  You don’t.  You are amazing.  You should be so proud of the person you are.  You should never question your value.  I know I shouldn’t tell you what you “should” or “shouldn’t” do, but I’m going to, in this case.  You have every reason to be proud of yourself, the man you are, the life you’ve built and the example you are setting for your children.  I know you work on bettering yourself and there are certain things that I am grateful for the work you are doing, but even without the work, you’re amazing.  You deserve to be loved and appreciated by your entire family for exactly who you are, not for an outdated, unrecognizable, inaccurate perception that some people may have.  You are not other people’s thoughts of you.  You are a gift to everyone you meet and it’s a pity for the ones who don’t recognize you as such.  I realize I may be a bit repetitive, but it’s worth repeating.

There are a million and one more little reasons why I love you.  I’ve probably even missed some of the big ones, but these would be the top ones.  The most important point I want you to really absorb, is that you don’t need to change anything about you, for me to continue to love, accept and appreciate you.  You’re all I need.  You’re good enough.  I’ve loved you for the last 29 years of my life and will love you for the rest of it.