Happy Birthday, Tom!

Today is Tom's 45th birthday! As hard as it is for me to believe that, it's even harder for him. I asked him the other day how old he felt and he said 30. I believe my response was, "Awww, then we'd be the same age!" Hahaha! Tom's youthfulness is one thing I love about him. Here are 44 other things that make me fall in love with this wonderful man more each day:

1) I love his intelligence. Tom knows something about everything. Have you ever played Trivial Pursuit with him? Enough said.
2) I love his blue eyes. They were the very first thing I noticed about him.
3) I love his love of mustangs. He gets this sparkle in his eyes when he talks about his old Stangs.
4) I love his ability to think before he talks when he's worked up about something. Since this is not a virtue I possess, I envy him for it.
5) I love his love of all things history, but especially the Civil War. It's one of the deepest ties we have.
6) I love his sense of humor. He can make me laugh, especially when I need it the most.
7) I love his voice. He calls me every day on his free period at school and no matter what kind of day I am having, just hearing his voice makes me smile.
8) I love what an amazing father he is to Tennyson. They have such a special bond and watching them interact is heartwarming.
9) I love that he lets me put my music in iTunes and therefore in his iPod. Sorry, hon, you have Josh Groban and Celine Dion on there!
10) I love the way he smells. Honestly, it gives me butterflies every time.
11) I love that he is in no way sensitive about his height. (Nor should he be.)
12) I love the way he takes care of me. He's so thoughtful, always asking what he can get or do for me. Always making sure I am okay.
13) I love how he provides for his family. We always have food on the table and a warm place to sleep. What more do you really need?
14) I love his diverse taste in music.
15) I love his passion of living history. One of Tom's greatest joys is working at Harper's Ferry in the summer.
16) I love his laugh.
17) I love his facial hair. Oh, baby!
18) I love his hands. They are so strong and my hand fits so well in his.
19) I love his love of the Lord. It was clear from the moment I met him that Tom knew who his savior was.
20) I love how much he knows about theology. Though we don't do it often enough, I love getting into deep theological discussions with him.
21) I love how religious he is about his cups of tea. Can't go a day without a couple cups.
22) I love that he gets distracted doing the simplest things. It's what makes him Tom.
23) I love that if I want to go somewhere or do something badly enough he lets me. :-)
24) I love that he and I have never had a fight. No, we're not sweeping stuff under the rug. We talk about it before it becomes an issue. Period.
25) I love how he can hold a conversation with someone he has little in common with or has never met.
26) I love that he gets nervous talking to small groups but crowds of 300, no problem.
27) I love his hair and I love that he doesn't believe in dyeing it.
28) I love that he saved himself for me.
29) I love that he can hear God's voice speaking in to his life.
30) I love that he loves what he does. He is so gifted, and those kids adore him!
31) I love how humble Tom is about his abilities. Whether it's teaching, public speaking, or his knowledge he always gets uncomfortable when he's complimented. How cute is that?
32) I love the way he's always in the middle of several books at a time.
33) I love that Tom never gets on my case about anything.
34) I love how calm and laid back he is. That's so important when you have a wife that gets worked up from time to time.
35) I love his walk.
36) I love that he's not a handyman, but he sure tries.
37) I love to watch him play guitar. I just wish he had more time to do it.
38) I love what an amazing lover he is. (I won't elaborate to keep it "G" rated.)
39) I love how hard he worked to put himself through college and his masters once he put his mind to it.
40) I love how incredible he looked on our wedding day. I will never forget the look on his face as I walked down the aisle to him. Pure love.
41) I love that he stills look at me the same way.
42) I love that he has more patience than me when it comes to Tennyson.
43) I love his openness when we're alone.
44) I love Tom for who he is to me: a great husband, amazing father, gifted teacher, best friend, lover, and soul mate. And I thank God every day he chose him just for me!

Happy Birthday, my dearest love! I love you more with each passing day, and I can't wait to see what amazing things God has in store for you this year!