Dear Stephen,

It’s easy to see that you make me extremely happy.  I can’t help but light up when I’m around you, when I’m talking about you, and mostly when I’m getting to live this crazy adventure called life with you.  It’s hard to believe it’s been 7 years of [mostly] marital bliss.  I still feel like a 22 year old girl ready to jump and say YES to the biggest adventure of my life.  Thank you for leading our family, for continuing to say YES to adventures with me, and always always supporting, believing in, and walking with me.  You are pretty  much the goofiest person I know, but you also have the biggest heart.  You have a passionate fire inside you for so many injustices you see in the world.  Anyone who’s been around you for more than 5 minutes, can see your passion.  You give when you don’t have anything left to give, you speak truth and life to people who desperately need to hear it, and you encourage and lead so many around you.

I am proud to be your wife.  Proud of have been together for 9+ years, and proud to be the mother of your children.  Even though our road to parenthood was not what we expected, nor is it currently going the way we expected, it’s better than either of us could ever have imagined.  I can’t imagine going through all the ups and downs with anyone but you.  You see the positive in everything, and while this annoys me sometimes, I am grateful.  Grateful to be pointed to Christ.  Grateful to be reminded of the truth that sets me free.  Grateful to be led by truth and grace.  Grateful for our two, and the rest that will come, to have a daddy who loves His heavenly Father and puts Him above all else.  Grateful for a daddy who provides not only financially, but spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Life with you is better, really.  That’s the plain truth.  I love you babe!  Here’s to 7+7+7+7+7+7+…years with you!

photos by the lovely Helen Bryd