Why I Love My Wife

God knows what He is doing, even if I don't. Because if I had met my wife 6 hours earlier than I did, she would have never talked to me.

While in college, at Texas A&M, I was a college boy running after everything the world said would make me happy - alcohol, women, pleasure, success, money, etc. None of it satisfied me. Some guys encouraged me to go back to church and I ended up going on a retreat. The first night of it changed my life because it was the first time I went to Confession in many years.

I met Jesus that night.

But, I also met my future wife, Kristy.

Kristy was a shy and beautiful girl from the Hill Country of Texas. We immediately hit it off, because she laughed at my cheesy jokes and I thought she was one of the sweetest and nicest persons I had ever met. We became friends.

At the time I was attracted to another girl I met at the retreat and she had a crush on a guy she met there too. After the retreat was over, we would call each other or meet for lunch and talk, but just as friends. 

One night a large group was supposed to go out to a baseball game, dinner, and dancing. But, the forecast predicted rain, so only 4 people went to the game - Kristy, myself, and 2 friends who were dating. We had a blast. Later that night, about 40 of us went dancing and the only 2 that didn't show up were the girl I was interested in and the guy Kristy was interested in.

God knows what He is doing.

By the end of the night, Kristy and I knew our relationship was changing and some romantic feelings had started. The next night we had our first date.

2 years later, we got married right after graduation, and to be quite honest the first year was very hard on both of us. More than anything I had to learn to be a man.

Kristy was patient enough with me to allow me to learn the hard way.

Being a man meant I had to learn to love God, my wife, my children, my family, others, and THEN myself.

I am still learning this lesson every day and Kristy is still patient with me.

Last night I told her I thought she was not only beautiful, but the most beautiful woman in the world. In fact, I am repeatedly stunned by her beauty. 

It isn't that I can't see the changes in her after 5 kids.

It isn't that I look past her faults.

It isn't that I believe she is perfect.

Rather, tt is what I see when I look at her with honest eyes:

• She is kind
• She is generous.
• She puts me and the kids first constantly.
• She sacrifices her own desires for others.
• She is compassionate for the people on the fringes of society.
• She is passionate about her faith.
• She finds time to check in with old friends.
• She reminds me that I do have feelings.
• She challenges me.
• She is prayerful.
• She is smart.
• She is honest.
• She is still sweet, but very tough where needed.
• She appreciates me.
• She is (quite literally) my better half.
• She smiles and tears up when I bring her flowers.
• She makes us stick to family traditions, even when I grunt through them.
• She is wise enough to stay away when I am grumpy in the morning.
• She says "yes" every time I ask her to rub my aching back.
• She loves me for who I am.
• She (somehow) really thinks I am kinda cute.
• She holds my hand and we walk together towards Jesus every day.

But, it isn't so much about what she does, but who she is.

• She is my wife. 
• She is God's daughter. 
• She is the most loving, beautiful, amazing, awe-inspiring woman to walk the earth (after Mary).
• She is my bride.

I love you Kristy. With all I my being.

Happy Valentine's Day!