A Birthday Post For My Wife

Happy birthday to my wife!

I didn’t know what to get Leandra this year for her birthday. I may or may not be getting a babysitter and arranging a delicious EatGR-inspired dinner later today. I might even pick up a thoughtful gift.

That being said, I wanted to do something different. A blog post proclaiming my love from the rooftops for all the internets to see seemed like the most appropriate.

For those of you who don’t know Lee, you’re missing out. She’s ridiculous, lovely, passionate, beautiful, and more. And no, I’m not bias because I’m married to her. It’s just true. For the sake of length, I’m going to limit the reasons why she amazes me to the following:

She challenges me to be better than I ever would want to be on my own. I’m getting grouchier as I age. My tolerance for the unnecessary and the stupid has declined considerability. Leandra puts that in-check. She reminds me to think of customer service reps on the other end of the phone, to ask our kids for forgiveness when I’m too hard on them, and to be compassionate even when others are “frustrating.”

Lee has a the heart of a servant. She spends time almost every week out in front of the local abortion clinic offering help and alternatives to women and families who need it. She cares for our kiddos with the compassion of a tough mama bear. She literally sustains my life with scrumptious meals even when I don’t help her meal plan!

Leandra is a patient listener. Nearly every day we have coffee-time together and nearly everyday I unload all the crazy business stuff in my head. She listens and offers helpful advice even when she would rather share her own stories. She also proofreads EVERYTHING for me. I’m notorious for grammatical errors, hence any mistakes in this piece (her proofing it would have ruined the surprise).

No other person makes me laugh with the weird, off, and sometimes mildly inappropriate things Leandra says/does. Most recently she asked me to get a tattoo with her. Specifically, the head of a mongoose, on an ice cream cone, waving hi to a former president. When asked what kind of flowers I bought her, she responded, “I don’t know. I’m not a phlebotomist” And a group of deer is referred to as a “flock.” This happens so frequently that our friend circles and podcast listeners have coined the term “Lee-ism.”

Finally, her faith is inspiring. She loves Christ and her Catholic roots tremendously because of the concrete love, joy, truth, and peace it has brought her own life. It’s a passion she isn’t afraid to discuss (and often defend) with others. Her foundation inspires me to pray when I normally wouldn’t and to trust when I don’t.

Leandra knows me unlike any other. She is my unfair advantage, my fellow adventurer, and my best friend.

She is the person I choose every day. I’m grateful she chooses me daily too.

I love my wife. A lot.

Happy Birthday Lee.