Happy Birthday Isaac

Not that long ago, I remember sitting in a small town in France with my family, and at that time I remember feeling overwhelmed with joy, and feeling that life just could not get better than it was at that time. I was wrong. I wasn't then able to comprehend just how much joy lay in store for me in the future and how one person would make me feel so happy. That person, as you may guess, is my husband Isaac.

Today is Isaac's birthday, and while he far exceeds what I am able to write about him in a measly blog post, I don't think that means that I shouldn't write anything at all. And thus, here are a few reasons why Isaac deserves to be celebrated today.

In the plainest words, Isaac is good. He doesn't have difficulty in making right choices and acts with integrity in those choices. He loves the Lord and honors the priesthood that he holds. That alone is enough for me to want to live with him for eternity, but there is so much more.

As a husband, Isaac is so incredibly gentle and tender towards me. He tells me I am pretty even when I first wake up or get done exercising and am all sweaty. When I make dinner, he will ask for seconds, even when it is yucky. And all those times when I am busy with school, he cooks for me and then does the dishes on top of all that without a word of complaint. He is very careful about never saying anything to me that might be demeaning, and is quick to apologize at the slightest hint of having hurt my feelings. He opens my doors and always offers to brush my hair out.

Isaac knows best how to make me smile. His witty comments have just enough humor that it isn't completely obvious that he is joking, and for a small moment, the listening parties are left somewhat unsure of how to receive it. His smiling eyes usually give it away, and I find that it is these comments which make me laugh the most. Like my own dad, he has no reservations about laughing at his own humor which is all the more endearing to me.

There is beauty everywhere in the world, even in the dessert of Utah, and Isaac is quick to recognize this beauty in all its forms. On seemingly ordinary days, he will point out the mountains to me, or pull me out on the deck to show me how unique and colorful the clouds are that evening. I always find that he is right, they are beautiful, but it takes him pulling me away from my homework or laundry pile of life to see that beauty.

Sometimes at night right before I fall asleep Isaac will kiss my forehead and whisper "I love you" in my ear just to make sure that I know. But I do know, I know every time he takes my hand, or asks how my test went, or sends me a text message that says "I miss you". I know he loves me every time that he closes the lid on the toilet seat or makes me breakfast on Sunday "just because." I don't think that sitting on that bench in France I could have foreseen my happiness today, and that has taught me a valuable lesson. If we let it, life will continue to get better, and we must understand that the Lord always has something greater in store for us in the future. For me, this has meant having Isaac in my life. Of course there will be ups and downs, but somehow, life just keeps getting better. So own it Isaac, being 28 just means a whole lot more happiness and excitement in store for your. I love you and wish you a very happy birthday.