Joe

Since I am laid up in da hospital and unable to shop for the perfect Father's Day gift this year, I figured I would just take this opportunity to do a little braggin' on my husband to help make up for it.  He has been nothing short of wonderful not only through the experience of this year, but for our entire nearly six years of marriage.  I can't say it enough...I love this man!!!

I couldn't have dreamed that the cute, skinny guy at the top of the stairs at Elbert Court Apartments in August 1999 was not only going to be my husband, but also the father of my daughter and twin boys.  So funny, the "coincidences" in life, if that's what you call them.  My roommates and I had rented an apartment and just recently moved in when Joe moved into his apartment right across the hall.  I was with my two best girlfriends from childhood, of all people, (who were both standing next to me when we got married) when I first met Joe almost 12 years ago.  I have many, many wonderful memories from our college years...just being with friends and dating...so fun!  
Like every other married couple, we have had our share of ups and downs.  Getting through those first few years of marriage, trying to figure out living under one roof with each other, and just focusing on building a life together.  We are ironically so different from each other.  He has so many qualities that I admire and wish I had myself.
Now that we are a soon-to-be family of five, he has been working harder than ever.  When we found out about the twins, I was the one who completely "nutted up," if you will.  Joe had a certain light in his eyes that day that I was having trouble understanding, quite honestly.  I was a nervous wreck.  Of course, he was too, I'm pretty sure, but I think for him the excitement and joy of it all overrode the nerves and it showed on his face.  Watching him during that time helped to bring out the joy for me as well, nervous as I was.  I was the one who had to be calmed down...brought back down to earth.  And somehow over the past six years, he has helped me do just that, many times.
Case in point, the day we got married.  I woke up that morning sick as a dog.  Nerves had most definitely gotten the best of me.  I came close to driving my poor family nutty.  Luckily we had decided to do all picture-taking before the ceremony, which of course meant Joe and I would be seeing each other beforehand.  I was a ball of nerves before going in to see him for the first time that day.  Once I walked down the aisle to him and we spent those few quiet moments alone in the Sanctuary of First Baptist Church, I was a new person.  It went on to be one of the best and most enjoyable, memorable days of my life.
I could go on and on about the past six years and just the little, simple day-to-day things he does for me.  But especially over the past few months he has absolutely "shown up" for our little family, and continues to amaze me with what all he is juggling these days.  During my time in the hospital, he has been playing single parent to Kate, running his business, building our new home, ensuring that I have all I need on my end, keeping up with daily household chores, shopping for groceries, and most recently moving us into our new home.  The home he built in just about 60 days.  Of course we have had great help along the way.  But he has been organizer, scheduler, and the glue that has held it all together.  And in between all that, every weekend, he has insisted on coming up to the hospital to stay overnight with me...on the pull-out couch.  I have tried to encourage him to say home and get some rest, but he insists.  He has laughed with me, cried with me, and held my hand through this entire experience...really through the past 12 years...constantly reminding me that "we are in this together."

There are no words to express the level of gratitude I feel toward Joe (and to God for blessing me with him) for all he does for me and for our little family.  These are but a vain attempt!  Happy early Father's Day to my favorite "Daddy."  So glad to be on this journey with you!