{A Letter To My Hero}

About a week ago, Mom2 (my mother in-law) called me. She called to tell me about a contest that CMT was having. CMT is very supportive of our military and their families. One click to their website and you can read all about the many things that CMT and country music stars do for our troops, especially the ones who are serving overseas. The contest assignment was to write a letter about your hero. Unfortunately, I never found the link for the contest but, I did write a letter.



There are many different reasons why one might choose to call someone their hero. Perhaps they are inspired by them or maybe they did something extraordinary. Maybe the person you consider to be your hero is simply genuine, kind, and caring or maybe they just stole your heart and never gave it back. I have to admit, I am a pretty lucky girl. I have so many people in my life that I admire. There are quite a few people in my life who I would classify as one of my hero’s. But, today I am focusing on one very special person. The words I used above are just a few words that describe my hero. Over the past few months, I have been keeping a journal. Every day I take a few minutes to focus on one reason why I love my husband. When I find the reason that fits the day, I write it down. For those of you who don’t know, my husband is currently deployed in Afghanistan. The journal that I am working on is for him.

Dear My Jay,


I can only imagine what you are thinking right now. I can picture your face. It actually makes me smile thinking about how you might react at the very moment you read these words. You aren’t one who likes to be put on the spot (at least not like this) and here I am focusing all of my attention solely on you.


I bet somewhere in that brain of yours you didn’t think that you were my hero. How you wouldn’t know, I’m not quite sure but, you don’t always think sensibly when it comes to things like this =)


I know that I don’t tell you enough how incredible you are and I think that before I go any further, you should hear it. You are INCREDIBLE! You are loving, kind, and thoughtful. You love with all of your heart and you are the most devoted person I have ever met. You are a wonderful husband and even more, you are an amazing father to our children.


You serve our beautiful country and for that you deserve to be honored and recognized. You take pride in who you are and what you do. You might not always agree with everything but you always do your job and you do it well. I see the worries you bear every day that you are here and hear it in your voice when you are away. I know that when you leave for work, your priority lies with your troops. You have a job to do but, you always make sure that “your guys” and their families are taken care of first. I think it’s important for you to know that you have a special gift. Your intuitive spirit allows you to reach others when they need it the most. You have proven that so many times by helping those when they had reached that darkest point within their lives. I am always proud to stand by your side but it is during these times that I feel like the luckiest girl alive because you have a spirit like no other. You know how to reach out to others when everyone else would have given up. You don’t want to see people give up especially when it comes to themselves.


Most of the people in our lives know our story. We have been together for over half of our lives. Our families watched us grow up together. Some even witnessed the foolish fighting and make-up sessions of two crazy teenagers. They watched us as we faced our challenges. They also got to watch us as we figured out how to piece ourselves together in order to move forward so that we could create a life together. What they don’t know, are all of the little things that make us who were are as individuals, as a couple, and as a family.


No one in this world knows me better than you. You know every little secret even the dirty ones. The best part about all of it is that you can still wake up every morning, look at me, and make me feel like I am the only person who exists. How do you do that?


Your faith in me has made me reach places I never could have dreamed of reaching. You really believe that I can do anything. You make me feel like I can accomplish the impossible. How do you do that? Watching you truly makes me want to be a better person.


No one knows the Jay that I know. I have to say, I’m pretty lucky to know such a great guy. Your sense of humor keeps me laughing. I have never met anyone who can say the things that you do and I will admit that I love that our children have inherited this trait from you. You make the silliest faces and you can always manage to imitate someone’s voice or someone’s behavior without even trying.

You are so smart, even if you think your intelligence lies in useless information. You have taught me so much about life and myself over the past few years.


You are strong in so many ways. You stand up for the things you believe in. You protect the things that you care about the most but the thing that I admire the most is the strength you have for your family. When it comes to us, you never hold back. We are your priority. We are your everything. We are your life!


You never give up. I know sometimes you want to but you don’t. You force yourself to shake it off and you move forward.


You are a risk taker but not when it comes at some else’s expense. You aren’t afraid to try new things. You aren’t afraid to face new challenges.


You are very optimistic about the future. You always have a way of seeing the glass as half full. This is probably one of the biggest lessons in life you have taught me!


I know you consider yourself to be an average ordinary guy just making his way through life but I am here to tell you that you are so much more. You make a difference every single day no matter what you set out to do. You have changed lives for the better. The biggest difference you have made lies within the heart and soul of our family. You are a true hero to this family. You are my hero!


Thank you for everything that you do each and every day!


Love You 4 Always & Ever,


Your Wife


P.S.


The next time you hear me say the words I Love You, I want you to remember this:


I appreciate you. The way that you care for me. The way that you support me, financially, emotionally and spiritually. The way that you love me and our children and the way that you are always trying to do a little better. All the ways that you help me... Thank you. It means more than you might know.


I adore you. I see your smile, listen to your infectious laughter the fills our home, and I literally melt. You make me smile every single day. Being your wife brings me so much happiness.


I am committed to you. No matter what! Through thick and thin. When things are easy and fun and even when they are strained and difficult. When you make me laugh and even when you make me want to cry. All of the time, I'm yours 4 always & ever!


I am thankful for you. You were placed into my heart and soul to radically transform my life. Sometimes it is a little bit unrecognizable to me but always, I am amazed by it. And I could never be grateful enough for what has been given to me!