a tribute to my michael

1st picture ever taken of us...a little scary

Today is my dear hubby's birthday. So I wanted to post a little tidbit about him here. When I first met him in January 1998, I knew there was something special about him. I had long known the type of guy I wanted to marry, and his personality and demeaner was exactly what I wanted. I had just transferred to BYU provo from Ricks College in Idaho. I moved to the same apartment complex as my older brother, Ryan, to be close to him. Michael lived just 2 doors down from my brother. Luckily, my roommates were already friends with him and his roommates, so I just jumped right into the friendship circle. Just friends for a semester...we debate about our first date b/c I asked him to accompany me to SLC to U2 lazer show. We went just the 2 of us...as friends. I'd like to think that I didn't ask my husband on our first date, but I guess I'll let him win this one and say it probably was our first date. At the end of the semester we parted...just friends...nothing more. The email craze was just getting big, and although I didn't have my own email account yet, I gave him my dads work email (how out of it was I)? I also got his. I went home to Texas and kept asking my dad if he got anything at work. Nothing. I was bummed. I swallowed my pride and decided to send him a little nudge since I got my own email account at this point. He responded right away and told me he sent to the account I gave him (my dad's) but it bounced back and he was glad I wrote him! I was giddy as a schoolgirl, because I did leave school that year with a crush on him. We sporatically exchanged emails that summer (not too many because I couldn't appear over zealous...even though I was).

When school started in the fall, we were both back to the same apartment complex....still friends. I had expectations that didn't quite pan out, so I convinced myself that he deserved better than me. We dated other people, but remained friends. In December a heartbreaking incident with one of our dear friends brought us closer together, as we were able to emotionally connect with each other. Over that Christmas break, I was pretty sure of my feelings for him, and had big hopes for January. Well, timing was just really bad. We were almost there, but not quite. I was crushed. I thought for sure it was over, and the dramatic in me knew I couldn't love anyone else b/c he was perfect for me. My roommates claim they always knew it would work out.

In April, I went away to Jerusalem for Study Abroad...the distance made us both realize we were meant to be together. After he came to Houston and I went to Cali, in September, we were engaged. Married in December 1999.

I've never for a moment doubted that I married the perfect person for me. For several years into our marriage, I was convinced that HE was perfect. He is very close to perfection....and exactly what I told him one night (as friends) as we talked theoretically about the qualities in a person we wanted to marry...3 H's, honest, humble, happy. He is my rock....my sounding board....my best friend. He helps me challenge myself and to be the best self, and encourages me as a mother and tells me I'm doing a great job (when I wonder if i am). He is patient when the house is messy, as he is a neater person than me. He loves the Lord and devotes his life to making sure he is "in check" and living according to the Savior's teachings. He is the greatest father....getting on the ground and playing with the kids (better than me)....building forts, games outside, etc. And most importantly, teaching our children to love the Savior as much as him. He loves being with the kids, rather than seeing it as an obligation.

I look up to him and admire him in following his athletic dreams, and we love to cheer him on.

Michael, I'll say this over and over again...you are and always have been....

everything I need.

kj

the dresser michael built me during his paternity leave with alyssa (patterned after one i found in pottery barn)