Monday, October 18, 2010

Still the One

Today, I celebrate you, Mr.4444! I love you. I hope your birthday is as happy as you have made me :)  
 

I remember doing the laundry with my sister, Judy, as a small child of 5 or 6 (yes, really.) We had an old-fashioned (even for that time, I think) ringer washer.

I remember the hot, soapy water that stung my fingers, burning them until I remembered to grab the wooden pole to retrieve the steaming-hot clothing. We fed them through the ringer into a sturdy tub full of ice-cold water. (Funny how that, too, stung my fingers.) Rinse, rinse, repeat. I remember a few times having to hit the emergency release, because my fingers got caught in the ringer--not fun.

As you might imagine, my hands were weathered beyond my years when I was young. I was a hard worker and wasn't so wimpy that I wore gloves, either, no matter what the chemical. (We didn't have any, anyway.)

In middle school, during which (if you're lucky) hand-holding comes with the territory (at the roller rink), every boy I ever skated with said, "Wow, your hands are rough!" (Thanks.) My boyfriends (2 or 3 max, I swear) in high school all commented on my dry hands.

"Yup; I know." Thanks.

When I first started dating Mr.4444 (in college), it was mid winter, and he had been working hard in the construction trade, outdoors. His hands were always red and a little chapped. The first time he held my hand, he exclaimed warmly, "Your hands are so soft!" and my heart melted; I knew he was the one for me!

Just kidding. It did melt, honestly (I almost cried) but there wasn't just one moment. There were many others...

....like the first time he took me out to a nice dinner and did not make me feel stupid for not knowing what to do with all of the silverware or for never having eaten a steak dinner before.

...and the fact that he always asked me what I wanted, rather than just assuming that he knew (at certain times that it's important to ask.)

...and the time I thanked him for not opening my mail, and he said, with a curious look, "Why would I do that? It has your name on it, not mine."

...and the time, when we were first dating, when I accidentally snapped off his new fishing rod in the truck door, and he said, "It's no big deal, really." (when he probably wanted to kill me.)

...and the time he listened to me tell a certain Christmas story from my childhood and I could see that he was barely listening, but he was totally taking me in, and he smiled and said, "You are really charming, you know that?"

So, yeah. My heart has melted many times over Mr.4444, and it continues to do so, even today.

Like when I come to bed on frosty winter nights with legs that haven't been shaved in weeks, and he says, "I'd rather they be furry than prickly."

And when he comes in from the garage saying, "I changed your wiper blades for you; they looked like they were ready," or "I saw your gas tank was low, so I went and filled it up for you."

Or when he puts his arms around me at night and tells me how he knows he "won the wife lottery."

So, yeah. Dry skin, hairy legs, driving the car til it's running on fumes...he takes me with all of my flaws and loves me the way I've always dreamed of.

I know what you're thinking--"Those are her flaws? Give me a break!"

Hey, it's my blog. I don't have to tell you about my real flaws. (Besides, he'll tell you I don't have any.)



[Parts of this post were originally published in July of 2009.]

23 comments:

  1. Sounds like you've got a keeper! Happy birthday Mr. 4444s.

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  2. I love this! What a great guy! What a great love story! And I think hands say so much about people.

    I especially love that he tells you he won the wife lottery! (He's probably right!)

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  3. Lots and lots of wonderful reasons to appreciate your Mr 4444. I hope he has the best birthday ever. Having you for a wife is his best present.

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  4. Sounds like you have a very good husband, just like me. It's so nice to be married to someone who actually loves us, flaws and all.

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  5. Happy Birthday, Mr. 4444s. That is so sweet :)

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  6. Hooray for finding your ying to your yang!!!

    My husband, the Big Tuna, turned 50 this year. I knew he was the one for me when we'd been dating 2 weeks I called him with a flat tire. When he came to change it and saw my spare was flat too he smiled and said no problem. I knew then and there he was the one.

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  7. Mr 4444 and I share a birthday it seems! Happy Birthday to him. I'm so very grateful that the two of you mesh together so well. You both make the world a better place :)

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  8. Mr 4444 Happy Birthday! Hope his day is as special has he seems! He is a keeper alright!

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  9. Isn't it great to have a guy who realizes he's won the 'wife lottery'??? Yep, like my 'Farm Boy', Mr. 4444's a true keeper.

    Here's sendin' him the biggest old HAPPY BIRTHDAY wish from the Ozarks.
    Hope his day is filled with love, laughter and piles of cake!!!

    Have a great day of celebration hon!!!

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  10. Happy birthday to Mr4444! Today is our anniversary (7 years) so reading this post truly warmed my heart. You've got a great guy, there!

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  11. Happy Birthday Mr 4444! Sounds like you two have really got it!

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  12. That's just beautiful. You two are both lucky in love. Happy birthday, Mr. 4444!

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  13. Happy Birthday, Mr. 4444
    A tribute post is much better than facebook wishes.

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  14. So sweet!
    Mr. 4444 is a prince! I hope he has a wonderful birtday!

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  15. OMG! My husband tells me the same thing about winning the wife lottery! That is too funny!
    Happy Birthday to the love of your life!

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  16. This was wonderful! Happy Birthday Mr. 4444!

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  17. Happy Birthday Mr. 4444! How refreshing that you still love each other; I hope you make it a great day!

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  18. Such a sweet post! Happy birthday to him!

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  19. Thanks for good stuff

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  20. Awww! What a great post. Happy Birthday Mr. 4444! You guys sound amazing and happy.

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  21. Aawwwwww.

    Happy Belated Birthday, Mr.4444

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