“How do I love thee? Let me count the (40) ways.” -William Shakespeare
photo credit: Heather Ford
On Tom’s 40th birthday it seemed fitting to do just that. I make no apologies for sappiness. If it bothers you, skip to the bottom, where you can add your part.
40 ways I love Tom, in no particular order, on this, his 40th birthday:
1) I love your dark hair.
2) I love that you truly believe my scrambled eggs to be superior to any other.
3) I love that you let the kids intrude on your Bible reading and make them apart of it.
4) I love that you have a need for speed that’s hard-wired.
5) I love your excitement over the most boring, repetitive meals. And how you model thankfulness for our kids toward the maker of those boring, repetitive meals.
6) I love your desire to redeem the time– to be productive and love people through serving them well with technology.
7) I love that you’ll take risks, but not stupidly so. You count the cost.
8) I love how you sacrificially carry the weight of being the provider for our family.
9) I love that you still take your (1980s) skateboard out for a ride in the driveway.
10) I love that you have great sense of style, but still double check with me.
11) I love that you like crispy bacon, not chewy.
12) I love that you’ll always share a bite of food off your plate. You’re not possessive of your food (like I can be).
13) I love that you lead our family to the Word most evenings and encourage and teach the kids.
14) I love that you wear funky socks.
15) I love that you have 5 guitars. And you need more.
16) I love that you’ll talk football strategy with me like I know what I’m talking about.
17) I love what a good dad of girls you are. They will never wonder whether their dad thinks they’re smart or beautiful or capable.
photo credit: Heather Ford
18) I love that I never have to wonder whether you think I’m smart or beautiful or capable.
19) I love that even though you have a good sense of style, you are first and foremost practical and down to earth.
20) I love that you love camping and hiking and can identify trees and plants and other outdoorsy stuff.
21) I love your keen eye of observation. The bugs and birds and everything else you notice enriches our lives.
22) I love that your passion and love for Jesus drive your worship and the music and notes flow from that, not the other way around.
23) I love that worship is your life, everyday. That you lead us in song and praise everyday by example. Sunday isn’t a show for you, it flows from every other day of the week.
24) I love that you take good advice. And you throw bad advice in the trash can.
25) I love that you embarrass us and yourself frequently enough to strip away any pretense we might have.
26) I love how you’ve grown in your confidence as a businessman in the last 9 years. You have an amazing ability to change and grow.
27) I love how you see potential in me and the kids that we may not see for ourselves. Possibilities are endless in your mind. You have vision for our family.
28) I love that you encourage me to serve others and use my giftings for the edification of the body, without complaining about what it costs you. Like me being gone the evening of your 40th bday to sing for the women’s conference.
29) I love that you want our children to excel in their education and you’ll listen to all their achievements with delight.
30) I love that you have guided us toward routine and schedules. Yet you still make room for my go-with-the-flow spontaneous bent.
31) I love that you are not guided by what’s familiar or comfortable, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
32) I love that you’ll let me talk politics at you. And you even dare to talk back.
33) I love that you value family and friendships. You sacrifice and follow-up and love and give and laugh and enjoy and take. Our relationships are richer because of you.
34) I love that you roll down the windows and yell when we drive through a tunnel.
35) I love your guitar playing skills. I love that you glorify God with spice and grit and clear tones.
36) I love that your life is a life of ministry of Jesus, the Word and the Gospel, even though it isn’t your job.
37) I love that you love having people in our home.
38) I love that you’ll watch The Lord of the Rings an infinite number of times with me. And that you’re watching Downton Abbey with me.
39) I love that your a great dad to our son. I love that he wants to be like you and you’re a man worth imitating.
photo credit: Heather Ford
40) I love that I’m already on #40 and I could have easily gone to 400.
This is such a small bit of thankfulness from me to you, dear. I love you mainly because you’re you. You’re made by God and you’re His child. And when we die, we will not marry or be given in marriage, but we will worship Him together forever. A continuation of what we’re doing now. I hope that when we’re seated around the throne, beholding His glory, that my seat will be by you, with our voices lifted to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
For the readers out there who know and love Tom, anything to add?
41) He can sing Doowop with the best of them.
I can’t help but notice that the top picture was photographed when he was a young and spritely 38.
I love that he makes you so happy! :) I smiled throughout this whole post, and I can vividly imagine him yelling while driving through a tunnel!
How wonderful you can count the blessings and thanksgiving to your husband! This is the great way to celebrate the birthday! Thank for sharing.