Not so long ago we had a hard talk about me seeing right through you. I think it’s time I told you what I do see.
I see you working long days teaching, coaching, and caring for other people’s children and then jumping right in to do the same for your own … even when you’re mentally exhausted.
I see you putting away our clothes because it’s one chore I can never bring myself to do.
I see you doing dishes with only a small grumble, even when it seems like I dirty every pot and pan we have making everyone dinner.
I see you ironing my clothes so I’m not a hot wrinkly mess like I would be if left to my own devices.
I see you taking twin dirty diaper duty and potty training duty.
I see you tolerating my mood swings, my impulses, and my mistakes with understanding and kindness.
I see you trusting me to steer the ship of our lives using the decisions we’ve made together, and taking over when I need to rest.
I see you up late grading papers and then getting up before me, sometimes having to drag me out of bed.
I see you taking on extra work so we can give our family the things they need and want.
I see you doing little things to make me happy; trying to make me laugh, constantly telling me that you still think I’m beautiful, and thanking me for all I do for the family. You encourage me to treat myself to coffee or a lunch out when you wouldn’t afford yourself the same luxuries.
I see you supporting me through depression, anxiety, job unhappiness, and illness.
I see you letting me sleep late most weekends.
I see you cleaning up the mess I leave behind when I go deliver flowers because you know I’ve stayed up all night working and I’ll be too tired to clean up when I return home.
I see you adopting my hometown as your own, even though it’s really, really hard for you to be away from your family.
I see you not batting an eye when I ask to do something special with my girlfriends — you tell me without hesitation that you have the kids covered.
I see your selflessness and your encouragement and all of your love. I see that you try to speak my love language even though I’m not the best at speaking yours.
You keep my eyes open to the things I might lose sight of in the tumultuous cycle of everyday life. Though our love now looks different than it once did, I love you more than I did a decade ago. Thank you for being my lighthouse, today and always.
