I have a confession to make.
After almost 9 years of marriage and many more spent dating, I don’t know if I have ever told you this.
I used to kind of hate that your birthday was SO close to Christmas!
I mean, most guys have a little bit of a tough time figuring out just what to get their girl for one holiday at a time – let alone a double header!
I don’t know if it is the grey hairs starting to make an appearance on my head talking, or if this year is just different, but I am incredibly happy for the timing of your birthday this year! Neither one of us are big New Year’s people, so having the reason to celebrate YOU just feels like it fits perfectly with the timeline of the new year. I can’t tell you how excited I am to spend today together – no work, no distractions – just time.
Your 28th year has been a crazy one. Just after your birthday last year, we sat on the couch agonizing over huge decisions. Your 28th year has seen us completely uproot, move back across the country, and put everything on the line to chase our crazy dreams. It’s been the year we both decided to jump in and do our ‘crazy faith required things.’ It has been the most fun and exciting experience I have ever had. And no one else knows quite like you do how difficult it has been at the same time. We’ve had a lot of ups, and there have been some downs. We spent the year grinding hard, sometimes feeling like we were doing it all while spinning our wheels.
Yet the most incredible thing has been your resiliency. Your ability to bring encouragement when we needed it. You’ve called us to recenter ourselves and our priorities when things have gotten all tangled up. You’ve pushed on even when it has been hard, and I have seen an enormous amount of growth in you. And your love pushes me daily to be a better man.
I guess that’s why I am so excited for the timing of your birthday, especially this year. It’s a new year and a new start. And what better way to start than by celebrating the best thing that has ever walked into my life – you. The truth is, without you none of this would be. There would be no Erica & Jon Photography. It was you who planted the seed of an idea to work together doing photography. It was you who taught me how to use a camera. It was you who pushed us to take the first leap of faith and travel from Washington to Phoenix to start our journey with some of the best people in the business.
And it’s so much more than just our business life. You’re the wife I always dreamed of. You are sweet and considerate. You think of all the details. You consider everyone and everything before your self. You find joy in the small things. And somehow, you found love in me. You still love me even when I tap on the steering wheel or snack on Chex Mix next to you on the couch. That says a lot! 🙂
You’re an adored mother. Your children run to you with open arms when you walk in the door. They get excited to tell you all the things about their day. You are the one that somehow makes every single owie better with a soft kiss. You encourage them by speaking life into their moldable lives. They don’t know how blessed they are to have a mommy who prays for them daily and lies awake some nights wondering how she could be better for them.
You’re an appreciated friend. You go to the moon and back for your friends. You don’t ask why or how, you just do. You stop, even in the middle of a busy or difficult season for yourself, to encourage and speak life to those around you. And I know I’m not alone when I tell you how loved you really are.
So here’s to a new year! Here’s to your last year in your 20’s! Here’s to marriage, family, friends, and YOU! This year is going to be amazing, and I can’t wait to continue this journey with you.
Happy Birthday, Erica! I love you.
Jon
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