Happy Birthday, Joe!

On December 4, 1968, the future best husband ever was born.

(That’s the truth and has nothing at all to do with buttering you up before viewing the following pictures.)

In celebration of your 42nd Birthday, I thought I’d post a few throwback pictures. You’re so welcome! This first one is an absolute favorite of mine. We’ll call it the “Barely Mullet” Joe. So clean cut, yet so mullet-y. You still have that innocent look that I think we all know was just a look. Ah, the teen years.

I realize that when I asked you if I could post some throwback pictures of you with a mullet on facebook that your answer was clearly, “no”. But you said nothing about my blog. You know I’m detail oriented and therefore, you probably should’ve been specific about any other places you might not want them posted. That said, we’ll call this next picture “Mullet” Joe. Note the change from the previous picture to this one. I don’t mean just the mullet. This is a laid back “yea, I know I look good with my mullet so snap the picture” look. A little less innocent than the previous picture. Oh, to go back to 1980something and have a peek into your world. On second thought, the stories are scary enough. Kidding. I’m kidding. I’m sure you were a lovely young man. In fact, I’m certain that there was some real character there because of who you are today.

And now we have the early twenties “good-bye mullet, hello hairstyle of the rest of my life” Joe. Still laid back and all “yea, I know you’re taking a picture of me and I can’t blame you”. I would’ve loved to have known this Joe. Not that I wouldn’t love to know “Mullet” Joe or any of the former Joes. But this Joe is different. Confidant, yet not cocky, probably learning who he is, responsible. Maybe the small business owner Joe. Or soon to be. I wonder what life experiences helped you grow into the man I would one day marry.

This is present day “oh look! I still have the same hair as I did in my early twenties” Joe. Husband, father, grandfather. Sure the picture isn’t the best shot for this post (just be thankful I didn’t post the picture of you post-surgery) but you can see that the hair is basically the same. I call this picture “Trust” on facebook. And that one word speaks volumes about your character. But first, let me just say something else about the hair. Sure, I’ve begged you to try a new style, but I absolutely love your hair! Let’s be honest—I’m thrilled that you have all your hair. Your hair is like your character—constant, unchanging.

Although you struggle with change, you are always determined to press through regardless of circumstances. Like all marriages, we’ve had our share of struggles and trials. Some more trying than others. But whether big or small you keep on going. At times I’ve thought you just couldn’t take any more with life’s circumstances and challenges but you pressed through and found strength. And no matter how difficult things are for you, when I’m down or even hormonal you’re always there to help, to pray for me, to encourage me.

I love you more than my detailed vocabulary could express. More than Diet Coke. More than the ocean’s waves. For the many years of living in a sea of female hormones, for being the best husband ever from the start, for being the calm in my chaos, for being over-protective even when it drives me crazy, for all the times you did what other men won’t do, for your determination and perseverance, for your heart of giving, for loving my two oldest daughters as much as you love your own, for sharing your Diet Coke even when you don’t want to, thank you. Thank you!

I love you!

Your Angel