On Being Thankful

photo by Taylor Lord Photography

I went to lunch today with my sweet fiance. Towards the end of our pizza pie, conversation led to all of the wedding preparations, and how close we're getting (10 days, if you're counting). Out of nowhere, John started saying some really sweet things to me, and ask he spoke, the thought crossed my mind that this is something I want to remember. I contemplated writing it in my neglected personal journal, but instead decided to share this {semi} personal thing with anyone reading this.

The conversation started simply and ended simply. Basically, a friend of John's (we'll call him Bill) was over at the house last night (I had gone to bed so I wasn't around for this conversation). John and Bill went out to the shed, where John has been working on a structure for us to put seating assignments on. While out there, Bill commented how he hadn't done a single thing for his own wedding, and how his now-wife planned the entire thing and he just showed up. Apparently, this struck a cord with John, who agreed that, although he might be an inch more involved than Bill had been, he really wasn't being very involved either.

This is where it got interesting. From out of nowhere, John started getting a bit emotional. Not crying, but I could tell that what he was saying, he really meant. He said the whole conversation with Bill got him thinking about how much really goes into wedding planning, and how much I've done to get this wedding planned.

It was the first time I felt like he really thought about how many hours I've slaved to attempt to pull this whole thing off. And it felt so good to hear his words of appreciation, of gratitude and of thanks. He sincerely looked into my eyes and told me how much he loved me, how proud he was of me, and how he could not wait to marry me. Y'all, I almost cried on that pizza patio.

It's amazing how just a little acknowledgement can mean so much.

So, John, if you're reading this, please know that I am so thankful for you too. Thank you for:

• taking care of my flat tire: helping me plug the flat, driving me around to doctors appointments, taking me to get the flat patched, calling numerous auto-repair places when the tire was deemed unrepairable, finding a replacement tire, finding the cheapest place for me to take my car, and for taking me there.
• making the bed most days
• cleaning the whole house before the housecleaners came on Tuesday morning
• waking up at 6:00 this morning to work on wedding things
• thinking of cute ways to make the seating chart look its best
• taking me for ice-cream
• giving me hugs at the end of a long day
• running at 5:00 in the morning so I can get to work on time (even though you have nowhere to be until noon)
• telling me I'm doing a good job to keep me motivated
• doing it all while you're taking summer school classes, with a looming test and paper

And finally, thank you for asking me to marry you. I cannot wait for the moment I see you on our wedding day, I cannot wait to read my vows to you and to hear yours, and I cannot wait for our pastor to pronounce us man and wife. I love you!