this guy...

before i start, i had to post this gem of a picture that i came across earlier this week...

priceless

i've been thinking a lot about what an awesome guy i married.  and i wanted our children to know how much i love him, and what a great man he is.

one of the first things  i noticed about cody was his genuine kindness.  he is one of the most kind people that i have ever met.  he always makes sure to say hi to people, to sit with someone that is alone, to include others, to reach out to someone who needs a friend.  i was and still am so impressed by the christlike love that he has.

when we were first dating, i was at the stage where i wasn't sure if i wanted to continue dating.  we were on our way home from his aunt and uncle's home, and he got a really bad flat tire.  then, the jack broke while he was trying to change the flat.  meanwhile, it had started to rain.  when most people would have lost their cool and gotten upset, he remained calm.  he stayed positive, and took the time we had waiting for his uncle to come get us to talk and get to know me, rather than complain.  i realized that night that i really liked this guy, and he was worth holding on to.  because if you know me, you know i don't always stay calm, cool, or remotely collected in certain situations, and cody has helped balance me.  where i'm crazy, he's calm.

another thing i loved was how many talents he has.  when we were dating, he made me a mix cd, and there was a song on it that i didn't recognize.  when i asked him about it, he told me that it was one that he had written and recorded on his guitar.  and that he had a bunch of other songs as well.  it was so awesome to have him share his music with me, and to see this whole other side of him.  cody can be a pretty serious guy, and to see him open up, and let go was really neat.  

 
he is always trying to better himself.  he is constantly learning new skills, and studying new things to better himself, to be better than he was the day before.  and his desire to become better, makes me want to be a better person as well.

watching him become a dad has been an amazing experience.  from seeing the awe on his face when he held her the first time, to watching him play and interact with her has made my love for him grow more than i thought possible.  it has made me realize how truly blessed i am.