Happy, Happy Birthday Deke!

Some reasons I think my husband is pretty much the greatest person this side of, well... anywhere:

• He'll call to tell me little things just because. Like that he just saw the real Santa Claus driving around North Salt Lake, and he was even wearing a candy cane sweater


• He can kiss like nobody's business


• He picks out cuter clothes for me than I can for myself (and jewelry, and shoes..). In fact, he buys most of my clothes for me


• A more "manlier" man than him is hard to come by. Anyone that knows him will tell you he is ALL boy. From his yellow work boots to his collection of guns to his chosen major. Once he told me his dream is to get lost in the middle of the mountains by himself and have to live off the land. And wear a loin cloth. Classic Derek..


• Even though most nights I go to bed before him, he'll always cuddle with me until I fall asleep


• He puts up with my quirkiness (like having to make the bed just so, or folding grocery bags into little triangles, or having the vacuum lines be perfect, etc..(and I promise I'm not as OCD as I sound:) )


• He's just as quirky as I am


• He sings a lot - even though singing isn't exactly a fantastic talent of his


• He still gets my doors


• I've never seen any other man as good with kids as he his. I think it's safe to say that he's hands down, the favorite uncle. I can't wait to see him as a dad.


• He's one of the most patient people I know (which is good seeing as how I'm not so much this way..)


• Dull moments don't exist when he's around.


• He tells me on a daily basis that he loves me. And the best part is, I know he means it.


• Christmas is just as magical, if not more so, for him than it is for me. Even though it's just us, we still totally wake up at 6:00am to open presents.


• Generosity is one of his strongest gifts. He would drop anything or give anything to help someone else out.


• I think every physical aspect of him is GQ worthy, but two of my favorites are 1) His deeply intense eyes. And 2) The rugged scar that connects his nose to his upper lip. mmm...


• He isn't great at writing birthday/anniversary/mother's day/father's day cards. Why do I love this? Because I'm terrible too. In fact, we mostly just forgo(sp?) the card for most occasions. We both feel you can only say the same thing so many ways before it starts to sound repetitive. Most occasions boil down to a simple "I love you." and "I couldn't ask for anyone better."


• To me, he is home. I love knowing at the end of the day, whether good or bad, I get to end it in his arms.

I love you Mav. I couldn't ask for anyone better ;).

An P.S. This next picture is for my family. They made fun of him for choosing apple dumplings as his birthday cake because they thought it sounded like some weird pioneer food. Exhibit A:

Yum-may.