Dear Matt,

We’ve been married for six months today, and I have to say, I’m pretty proud of us. We haven’t starved once, we’ve never missed our rent payment, and we’re both employed (PTL!).

I’ve learned a lot about you over the past half a year, some of which are trivial fun facts, others which cut straight to who you are as a person. I’ve learned that you like Ball Park franks more than Hebrew National, that your favorite website is ESPN but that you hate the videos they automatically stream, and that we fail at consuming fresh fruit before it goes bad. I’ve also learned that your heart is so much bigger than I ever knew before, that you consistently put my needs before your own, and that you’re my biggest fan.

You’ve taught me to be more selfless in my dealings with others, that true love means you don’t have to win every battle. You’ve taught me to really lean upon Jesus, and to trust him when I don’t understand why things are the way they are. You continuously surprise me with your willingness to serve others, and I’m blown away by your sacrificial heart.

Thank you for pushing me to realize my own potential, but also to be wise in recognizing my limits. Thank you for believing in me when I don’t believe in myself. Thank you for loving me when I’m unlovable, for pursuing me when I may push you away, for gently leading me when I’m digging my heels in as deep as I can. You are my best friend in all senses of the term, and I couldn’t imagine doing life with anyone but you.

I love you!

Photo by the ever-amazing Terra Dawn Photography.