a love letter.

Dear Mark -

i have been married to you for 4 months 1 week and 4 days. we will have been together as a couple for 2 years tomorrow. it seems like its all gone by so fast, but at the same time its like i've known you forever. we have had some really good days, and we have also had some pretty ugly days. but we are learning. and there is no one else i would rather learn with and learn about than you.

you are my best friend, the first person i want to tell my stories to, and whose stories i always want to hear. you confide in me, and you always have been and always will be completely honest with me. you rub my back when i need it, or even when i just want it. you hold me tight when i just need a good cry. you are silly with me when i need to be reminded that i'm not too old and dull to chase you around the basement in pursuit of a stolen bag of M&Ms.

i love all the little things: the way you hold my hand, that half-smile look you get when you look at me, the way you know how to make me smile, when you do the dishes for me without me having to ask, how you tell me i'm beautiful even when i dont think so, when you let me pick what we watch on tv, the way i fit perfectly when i snuggle next to you on the couch, and a million other little moments that tend to get lost in the typical everyday.

i love the way that you laugh at me when i screw up, or fall down, or do something completely irrational. and i love that you help me clean up my messes, pick me back up, and will always encourage me to do things that i never thought possible. i love the way we are learning to agree to disagree on things like football and other not-so-important issues. most of all, i love that your love for me does not surpass your love for God, and your desire to serve Him with your life.

i know it is really cheesy, but i love you more today than i did 4 months 1 week and 4 days ago, more than i did during a tearful pre-goodbye the night before graduation when i told you that i thought i might love you, and definately more than i did 2 years ago (tomorrow) when i hesitantly agreed to be your girlfriend. and i am excited to see just how much i will love you 2 years from now, 20 years from now, and however many more years i am blessed to be your wife.

Happy Valentine's Day
with love, Amanda