Reason 157...

November 23rd, 2014

I think I've found my wife's first fib. One thing that drives my wife crazy about me is when I supposedly "obsess" over a product, idea or way of doing something. Be it a new starter for our garden tractor or the inner workings of a Russian 24 hour watch, I research the shit out it. And my wife can't stand it.

But perhaps she does appreciate it. That I pay attention to details, especially when it involves my family. So maybe that's where this Reason is coming from. Or maybe she was getting desperate :)

I love that my wife allows for this type of behavior. Although I do get stares, grunts and gimme a breaks, she normally allows my research ;)

Reason 153...

November 22nd, 2014

All my life I have been a bit different. Nothing too out of the ordinary, especially to those I don't know, but once you get to know me personally, that's when the real curiosity comes alive. I whistle, sing and make funny noises almost constantly when I'm alone or with family. If one were to place a hidden camera in my vehicle to and from work, I may actually be committed to a mental institution. My wife understands this and tolerates it. But I feel like it goes a bit deeper than that. I'm not going to toot my own horn, I'm just glad she recognized that I was different.

I love that my wife embraces my quirks. Although she may not enjoy them all of the time, she still sticks around.

Reason 28...

November 21st, 2014

Pride is a hell of a feeling. One that can build or destroy empires and relationships alike. But there's an aspect to pride that makes it even greater, and that's when someone is proud of YOU. This "thing" today made be feel like waking up every day to go to work, staying over 9 hours, coming home to entertain children and kiss my wife, and then trudge downstairs to balance the spending spread sheet all completely and totally worth it.

I love that you're proud of me. That you can feel that way about the man in your life. And I'm proud to call you my wife and mother to our children.

Reason 90...

November 20th, 2014

A marriage is full of intangibles. Looks, hunches and that sixth sense. They're as important to functioning as the more analog components of a marriage. I know when my wife is upset, she can tell when I'm angry or frustrated. I also know when she's happy and she knows when I'm excited. Our fusion through these intangible aspects of our marriage are what help create a partnership conducive to success.

I love that she can still make me feel like I'm important, 5 years in. And I hope I do the same for her.

Reason 169...

November 19th, 2014

We totally did! She may cringe that I'm posting this one up, but true to the spirit of this blog, I must. I'm not sure this is exactly holding true to her 365 things list per se, but she does love this part of our relationship ;)

I love her for being my partner in bed. For being comfortable enough with me to let it all hang out and let me do the same.

Reason 21...

November 18th, 2014


Ahh, memories. My wife and I have been together for 5 years this past October and coincidentally also married for one year this past October. We didn't start our relationship the old fashioned way so things weren't conventional. Our first "vacation" wasn't camping close to home but some 1500 miles away from her home in San Antonio. We spent many hours on flights or in airports and even broke up once. But since we started dating, the one conventional thing we did do was make memories. From the Alamo and the Riverwalk to Ocean Isle and Rever Beach, we've been making memories to last a lifetime. I feel like I've known her my whole life (pretty close to it in actuality). And I wouldn't want to make these memories with anyone else.

I love her because she's so easy to make memories with. Sure, she may be a bit stuffy and less inclined to do wacky things, but she let's ME do those wacky things and she laughs along with me.

Reason 168...

November 17th, 2014

I have what my wife calls multiple personalities. I can be a guy with a weird accent who doesn't know where he's from, an old black guy with a down home accent or probably my least liked but most fun loving Carl. He's a good guy, just a bit misunderstood.

I love my wife because she tolerates these characters. Most of them are to entertain (or terrorize) my daughter. But Carl...he's for my wife.

Here's Carl building Mrs. Yimin a raised garden bed...he's a good guy.

Reason 173...

November 16th, 2014

when you're in a relationship with someone, it's important to be on the same level as them. Not just about the big things like marriage, kids and money but all the little things too. It's evident to me that part of a successful marriage is being able to know what the other person is thinking when they need you to. To be in tune with them. I believe my wife and I have that at least to the extent that we are successful so far. We need to work on it, but we do that every single day.

And that's what I love about my wife. She knows this is a process and she's willing to work on it with me. Without that willingness, there can't be a successful marriage.

Reason 2...

November 15th, 2014

Hey! Perfect pick, smile and smile.

I don't know if my wife laughs at me or with me, but I like making her laugh all the same.

I love that she finds me funny. I don't know if most people would think I'm just plain weird or just annoying, but she must get a kick out of it.

Reason 10...

November 14th, 2014

I don't have much to say other than I love my wife's smile. She looks very girlish when she's truly smiling and happy. I very much love that... ;)

Reason 12...

Hey hey! I have a black pair of jeans that my wife really likes because she said they make my butt look really good. I don't know...I think it's pretty small.

I love her ASS. It's really something special.

Reason 123...

November 13th, 2014

This is special. When we were doing our pre-marriage classes with our priest, he asked us each what we love the most about the other person. Christie said some really good answer I don't remember at this point and I said, "She's my partner". It's the first thing that popped into my head and I really meant it.  She's my partner in all things, she backs me up in everything that I do and I do the same for her. The fact that she's my partner is what I love the most. It is everything.

And that's why I love her. She's my partner.

Reason 118...

November 11th, 2014

Sometimes you just know what your life is supposed to be like. I always knew I wanted kids and a wife. My wife feels the same way and she's a natural. I don't believe in fate, divine intervention or anything other than free will and natural cause. But I'll tell you what, because I complete my wife's life, my life is full.

I love her for being everything that I wanted and for giving me children so that as a family we can be complete. We'll not yet...we'll try for more children...but for now, we're complete.

Reason 10...

November 10th, 2014

I'm a crier I guess. There's not an armed forces homecoming video or dog rescue video I can get through without crying. Whatever! That sensitive side of me comes out in other parts of life too, mainly with my children. I cried pretty hard when my son was born and I get misty just thinking about my beautiful daughter. And that's OK. There's nothing wrong with it.

And that's what I love about my wife. She let's me be emotional and doesn't judge me. She doesn't think I'm a wimpy girly man...she loves it. I think that's important for a wife to do and understand, especially if she wants a sensitive husband.

Reason 5...

November 9th, 2014

I'm the provider in our family. That's the way it works out. By provider I mean, I make the money. I am certainly not the only one truly providing though.

I love my wife for being my provider. She keeps our house running. Between Brownies, school book fairs and feeding a newborn she generally has her shit together. And I love her for that.

Reason 160...

November 8th, 2014

I don't believe in the age old advice of never commenting on the way your wife looks...or always saying that she looks good. I believe in being honest. So when my wife needs to change cause something doesn't look right, I tell her. Cause I love her. I want her to feel confident and sexy in what she's wearing and many times that starts with me. She feels attractive when her husband wants to sweep her up before we even leave the house.

I love her for not being the typical woman. She let's me be honest with her and that's not always the norm.

Reason 285...

I'm finally caught up. This last week I was apparently being lazy.

I'm not sure what my wife is talking about here. Sure I have dreams and whatnot, but I don't think they're all that special. I want my family to be together, love each other and always be there when someone is in need. That's the most I can ask for. Maybe I'll ask her about this one...

I love her for saying yes to me. For being my future.

Reason 140...

November 6th, 2014

This is just second nature to me. It always makes me laugh when my wife thanks me for getting up with our daughter on my day off to get her ready for school or for taking the baby at night when she needs a break. These things are just part of being a Dad. I wouldn't do it any other way.

I love her for appreciating what I do...even if it's pretty standard stuff!

Reason 166...

November 5th, 2014

I'm a singer. I've always been a singer. And not just in the shower. There's no place you shouldn't be singing! Whether it's being overly dramatic in church or singing the directions to my daughter when making waffles (or when threatening her with no TV for not cleaning her room), I love to get it out in song. This has definitely rubbed off on my daughter. She sings all the time too. Sometimes to herself and other times to an audience of family. It's all about fun! I guess this goes back to Reason 4. I want my children to know it's OK to be goofy and have fun, even as an adult!

Samesies as Reason 4. I know it's tough sometimes, but I love my wife for putting up with the singing...the whistling...the dancing. The FUN!

Reason 30...

November 4th, 2014

I try to boost my wife's self esteem whenever I can. It may not always seem that way to her cause I can really be an ass, but I think being supportive in any and all situations is important in a healthy marriage (no brainer). And that's why it's important for her to feel confident. Whether it's about her looks and being worried I wouldn't be attracted to her while she was pregnant (I totally was!!) or telling her to stand her ground during confrontations or difficult situations involving school or family members. She has to feel confident because she's a strong woman and she deserves to feel that way.

I love her for making it easy on me most times. She knows what's right.

Reason 35...

November 3rd, 2014

This must be a carry over from when I was a child. My mom always says that I used to play with her hair when I was a kid. I have a very bad memory but I vaguely remember doing it.

So, sometimes in bed (this may be a little too intimate, but whatever) when we're going to sleep I reach on over and play with my wife's hair and fall asleep. Apparently I'm not the only one who gets a kick out of it!

I love my wife for making me feel as comfortable as I did when I was a child. She's truly my other half and that makes being with her as easy and natural as breathing.
 

Reason 4...

November 2nd, 2014

I don't feel like I'm 30. At least not in my head. And I think that as long as you keep your mind young, then life will always be fun. So one of my favorite things to do and one of the most important things I think I do, is to show my kids that even adults have fun. That life is fun! So when my daughter sees me bust out a dance move or run around in a circle really fast to make her laugh, she knows that adults can have fun too. And maybe that lessens any fears she may have.

I love my wife for letting me be fun and childish, for not thinking I'm immature and seeing that really, I'm just doing what's best for our kids.

Reason 80...

This one makes me feel warm inside. I try my hardest to make my family feel together and secure. And if my wife is feeling that way, then she too can convey that to our children.  It makes me smile just thinking about it.

I love her for trusting me. For believing in me and allowing me to be our home. It's one of the best feelings a man can feel.

Reason 119...

October 31st, 2014

Whoa now, is this starting to get a little frisky risky?

I actually don't know what this one is about. So I don't have much to say.

I like when she says my name though... ;)

Reason 133...

October 30th, 2014

My simply amazing what?

I have a guilty pleasure of correcting my wife's grammar mistakes on Facebook. It's a dick move, I know, but it gets under her skin and makes me laugh.

I'm not sure if she was hitting a roadblock here, but I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. Maybe she does think I'm amazing.

But let me tell you something. As I sit here secretly writing this next to her as she sits there with a 10 week old hanging off her breast for the 12th time since she woke up, I can't help but feel like she's the amazing one. With the birth of my son, I'm seeing a completely selfless side of her I've never seen. And it makes me love her even more.

Reason 96...

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this one. a lot of the time I feel like I don't give my wife a lot of time. Sure, I don't have many friends other than my brothers and a couple guys I grew up with, and I rarely go out without her but I still feel like I neglect her sometimes.

But maybe that's just it. We're a unit. We work as one. Maybe it feels like I neglect her because we're always together but rarely alone. Perhaps she means that I make the time to do stuff for her. But I could do more.

As simple as this reason was it might the one I'm most unsure about. Maybe I'll revisit this one in the future. Or maybe I'll try to make more time for her this year.

Reason 147...

Hey-o! Sexy man! Somehow, in some parallel reality, my wife thinks I'm sexy. That's pretty awesome if you ask me. I've already said what I can about passion in marriage. So I won't go on line a broken record, but I will say this: my wife is sexy!

Sometimes I just grab a hold of her like, as she says, a caveman. I can't help it, she's beautiful, she's the mother of my children and she still lights my fire. And I love her because of that!

Reason 138...

I'm an Electrical Engineer. To anyone with that degree, it just means we're basically electrical math majors. All of our EE classes were essentially higher order math sessions. Shit was rough.

It gave me a heightened awareness of how integral (pun not intended...ok, yes it was) math is in every day life. Nothing happens or gets done without math. Nothing. And I try to instill that value into our seven year old because we need American engineers who are experts in their fields. And at a minumum, she needs to understand the importance of math and how it makes our world go 'round. That unique perspective is invaluable.

Now, I'm not the only one who does the math. My wife, although not the greatest mathematician, still gets the homework done. I love that about her. She tries her hardest to teach our daughter everything she needs to know and goes way above and beyond to do so. She's her biggest advocate and that's incredibly important in her life.

Reason 152...

October 26th, 2014

Interesting or nerdy? Either way, I'm glad she loves it! When we watch Jeopardy three of four times a week my wife always tells me that I should go on and win us some money. I insist I'm not that smart.  But one thing I have made a point in my life is to know at least a little bit about a lot, and know everything about a few. Apparently that makes me interesting.

I love that she finds me interesting and not derogatory-ily nerdy. Even though she does think I'm a nerd at times and glosses over when I talk about motorcycle mechanics or the finer points of Arduino programming. At least she can brush that aside and think I'm interesting.

And I also love that she's had different life experiences as me. I think that makes her unique. And I love her for it.

Reason 18...

I'm pretty weird. If I'm not whistling, I'm singing what I'm thinking about. Or maybe dancing...or grabbing at my wife trying to get a laugh out of her. I'm always talking to my daughter and singing things to her. I love that my wife tolerates it, however she does it.

I also think that puts her at ease. She's able to just be herself. If she wants to act weird or do a little dance or anything...I don't judge or think she's weird. I love her for who she is and I'd never want to make her feel like she couldn't do what makes her comfortable. I'm glad she wrote this one because it's important for her to be her.

Reason 43

I make it a point to give my wife a kiss and tell her I live her every morning before I leave for work. Some families I know don't say I love you very often. But when I was growing up and to this day, my family always says it.

I think it's one of the things that keeps us so close. Everyone knows that they're loved by everyone else. It's not some unspoken truth.

So I keep it that way in my own family.  I tell my wife, my daughter and my son I love them all the time.

And they say it back.

Reason 13...

October 23rd, 2014

I think for a time there my wife thought we might not get married. She moved to Texas to be with me and after a year we moved back to Pittsburgh. At that point it was about three years into our relationship. She says she knew I was the one she wanted to marry from the beginning but maybe she didn't think it would happen. After all, something she felt so strongly about hadn't happened after three years! But it did. After we bought our house and got all moved in, I decided on a whim almost to buy her ring. And I proposed to her under some trees in our side yard. She said yes.

And I loved that. She said yes.

Reason 19...

October 22nd, 2014

Before we re-met, my wife wasn't in the best of circumstances. She was a single mother living in a not so nice part of town. And, in my opinion, wasn't very full of self esteem. I go out of my way to make sure her sails are full when she wants to do something. Sure, I'm a grump at times, and maybe I don't always encourage enough, but I try my hardest to get her where she wants to be.

I love her for doing the same for me. She encourages me to do things that I love to do and let's me know I'm a good father...which may be all the encouragement I need.

Reason 230...

Not sure if insult...-_-

 

I'm stubborn. No denying it. And I'm damn lucky to have a wife that doesn't mind that much. She's stubborn too but she also has a lot of trust in me. At times that can be overwhelming. I'm at the helm of a family ship and where I steer it is where it goes, for better or for worse. Just like marriage.

 

Her trust, though overwhelming at times, allows me to be the head of the household (I wouldn't dare suggest that she's submissive...she is not) and see my family to success financially (haha) and spiritually. And I love her for that. I love her for her unwavering trust in me. I can't imagine a bigger statement of love.

 

 

Reason 20...

Hey, what can I say! I do love kissing my wife and she sure knows it!

Passion is a very important part of any relationship but especially important to a long lasting marriage. And I love her passion for our marriage, me and our children.

Reason 167...

This is a good one. I learned this from my dad when I was a little kid. After church he would always make up lyrics to the church hymns that we had listened to during mass that that day. Funny enough, they were always inappropriate lyrics and he would always stop halfway through and say oh no no we can't do this. Needless to say, I do the same thing when I'm walking around the house on a Sunday or after church just like my dad. And it always makes my wife laugh.

The moral of the story here is, even when something may be inappropriate she is still laughing at me...or maybe with me. And that's what I love about her, she thinks I'm funny. I always tell her that I'm the funniest person that she's ever met and frankly I think that's the truth...although she never actually said that.

Reason 154...

(October 18th, 2014)

When we were first dating, our relationship was loooong distance. My wife was in my hometown Pittsburgh and I was in Houston. For Valentines Day (or maybe my birthday) she sent me a card that had a whole bunch of glitter hearts in it and a bunch of laminated pieces of paper that she had kissed with lipstick on. The idea is obvious...she was sending me kisses that I could keep. And I did. That was in 2010 and I still keep one of those kisses in my wallet at all times.

She goes above and beyond in this relationship. I'm sure that took some time and this 365 Reasons project blows my mind too. She puts a personal touch on our love...and that's what I love about her.

Reason 143...

I'm attractive? Hardly...but maybe she thinks so. And that's pretty awesome. Physical attraction is an important part of a long healthy marriage, or so I believe. There has to be a certain fire in the relationship and thankfully we have that.

And I love that about my wife. Her passion for our marriage and our relationship.

Reason 11...

I think my wife was struggling in the beginning when she first started this list. I still don't know how she did it, to be honest. Not just the fact that there are 365 things she loves about me, but that she had the patience to do it, to write them all down then cut them out then fold them. She amazes me sometimes.

My eyes aren't special. I'm pretty certain of that. But if she says so, then I believe her.

What's important here is that she accepts all of my physical flaws...and trust me there are many of them. And that's why I love her. She loves me for who I am, regardless of my less than attractive attributes. I think that's important. It is to me at least.

Reason 161...

I don't know about this one. I struggle sometimes with being a grumpy ass. Especially right after I get home from work or when I'm tired at night...or hangry. This morning I told her I didn't want the cinnamon bun she made for our daughter and me because she wrapped it in tin foil and all the icing came off (she also made me coffee and lunch). Who says stuff like that? A spoiled 5 year old brat, that's who (I took it though cause I instantly felt bad as soon as I said it...it was delicious).

I don't treat her like I should all the time, and I guess that goes both ways. But in the end, that's sort of what marriage is. Give and take. She IS my queen, my bride and my best friend and she does deserve to be treated more like royalty. Especially when she has a baby hanging off her bosom 8 or ten times a day like a human bottle.

And perhaps that's what I love about her. That she deserves to be treated like royalty.

Reason 162...

I like to think I take after my Dad. He was and still is always playing with the kids. My friends always liked it when he was around. And when he was younger, the neighborhood kids in the apartment complex he lived in with my mother and older brother would ask for HIM to come out and play.

This type of thing doesn't happen without a strong woman. A man doesn't get to play and be a weirdo with his kids if the woman isn't holding things down. Homework, breakfast, dinner, cleaning, laundry (haha)...that all has to be done or else the men can't play. And my wife takes care of those things. So I get to play. And I don't think there's anything more fulfilling than chasing kids around the yard or piling them in the lawn tractor pull cart for improvised tractor rides. Kids need to see adults play and have fun. They need to know that life should be fun and that even adults, all seriousness and discipline aside, can still make funny faces, sing and run around aimlessly having fun. She makes that possible.

Reason 23...

(October 13th, 2014)

When we first met, my wife didn't know how to drive a car. A year later she (and our daughter) moved 1400 miles away from home to live with me in Texas. She had to drive. No way around it. So I made sure that I bought a car that would be easy for her to drive and taught her how to do it. It was rough, but she got through it. And because of that, she really was able to take care of things. Our daughter, the house, the errands...she does everything (about 75% of the time :)

That's what I love about her. She's a stay at home mom, but she gets shit done. Her independence makes my life easier and we're a better team because of it.

She wrecked that car though, totaled it. I loved that car.

Reason 170...

We met in grade school. She had a crush on me throughout and never told me. After leaving St. E's we went to different high schools and never saw each other again...until Facebook,  about 10 years later.

Much had changed since then. She had a child, and I was living in Houston working for NASA.  But she still had a crush on me...and I had one on her.

I love her for thinking of me, without delving too deeply in rationality,  as that boy in grade school who she has a crush on. Otherwise, our love may have never blossomed into a marriage and our son. And I might have never met my (step) daughter, who I love as if she were my very own princess.

Reason 155...

Capturing a bee in this photo was pretty ironic. Bees are usually a skittish insect, flying into your life for a fleeting moment and wandering back out.

I love you for allowing me to walk into your life and your daughter's life. What started as a flirty conversation quickly blossomed...and I didn't expect it either.

Reasons

This is my wife's gift to me on our first anniversary...the paper anniversary. 365 Reasons Why I <3 You.