An Open Letter to My Husband

My husband. I never get tired of saying that even though I've said it at least a million times in the ten months we've been married. No matter what title you have held in my life, my friend, my boyfriend, my fiancée, and now my husband, you have always consistently been a person I couldn't live without. When we first got together life wasn't the easiest for either of us. I had an extreme anxiety disorder and you were working so many hours you didn't know what to do with yourself when you weren't working (some things never change), but through anything and everything you have always stayed strong for both of us. This piece is a testament to the incredible man I have come to know and love over the five years we've been together, I know how hard you work for us and our future, I believe you deserve a little recognition.

During our relationship, we've conquered some hard times, difficult situations that no one could understand who wasn't there, and through every hurdle we faced, you never wavered. Never once did you leave me to deal with my problems by myself. Every night I couldn't sleep because of an anxiety attack or worrying about something out of my control, you never let me do it alone since the day you entered my life. Any problem I have had you have made your own. You've protected me, defended me, and you've known the moments to stand back and let me do things my own way even if you didn't agree. I can never tell you how profoundly grateful I am for your continued support of my decisions, and my dreams. I can never thank God enough for blessing me with you, but I can spend the rest of our lives together doing the same. Standing next to you during any problem, never letting you face life alone just as you have always done for me.

Thank you for watching the movies I love (even though you hate a solid 95 percent of them) just because you want to make me happy and spend time with me. Thank you for tolerating my singing in the shower and in the car even though my music drives you crazy. Thank you for thinking of me when you go to the store and get me a candy bar or ice cream because you know how much I like sweets. Thank you for watching Christmas movies with me in September even though you think it's a sin to watch them before December (and even then you don't like them). Thank you for your honesty, if I want to hear it or not, it is always appreciated, and thank you for making sure I put myself first sometimes, I know it drives you crazy when I let everyone else's problems become my problems.

Thank you for always understanding how important my family is to me, and making room for them in your life without ever being asked. When you come to me a month before my parents' birthdays already suggesting gifts to get them without me even having to remind you it always gives me the warm and fuzzies. I love the way you make my niece laugh, and the way you always include my cousins in our plans because to you they aren't just my family, they're your family too. My family is amazing, and being a part of it has been my greatest joy, which is why you being a part of it makes me happier than I have ever been. Thank you for letting me be a part of your family too, for letting me love your parents and siblings like they are my own. You've always known how much I love being a part of a big family, and you have made it bigger by sharing yours with me. You have brought so much more happiness and laughter to my life by making our family the number one focus of our lives, and you do it just because of who you are, just by being yourself.

Finally, I want to thank you for your constant hard work. You are one of the most dedicated people I have ever met. You work more than anyone I know and you do it all for our future together, our family, and our friends. Your name is already associated with hard work even at the young age of 27 years old, and you have gained more respect in your short life then some people get in a lifetime. I am so unbelievably proud of the man you are, and I will spend the rest of my life loving you. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us, and what adventures we will have in the future.