The Daily Hailey

Today is Bradys birthday. He’s finally my age again. I hate being older than him. I know, the difference is only about 2.5 months. But still. 24 is almost mid-twenties, and I’m happy I’m not the only one anymore.

We spend the day with family and food. Bradys mom is visiting so she accompanied us to church this morning, and we all gathered at my parents house afterwards for birthday lunch – thanksgiving dinner. The whole shebang. It was awesome. Since we hadn’t eaten enough, Elvira took us out to Boston Pizza for supper. Dekker sat at his high chair and ate and played very well the entire time. I love how low maintenance he is. Now we’re home, fat, and content. My bubble bath is running. But before I cut this blog post short, I will list 24 things I love about Brady.

1. His hair. C’mon, isn’t that the reason we started dating in the first place?

2. His musical ability. He excels in both guitar and drums.

3. His eagerness to teach Dekker music.

4. I never have to feel embarrassed playing guitar in front of him, even though he’s miles ahead of me.

5. His forgiveness. He waits through my rants of irrational emotion until I finally say something like “I’m not actually this mad, it is just coming out wrong” and then he says “I know” and forgives me. That is not a love you see every day.

6. He loves the Lord with all his heart.

7. He loves me.

8. He loves Dekker.

9. He has a genuine desire to lead his family in the way of the Lord.

10. He built me a huge soaker tub. Just for me. I share, of course, but he wouldn’t have built it for himself.

11. His work ethic. For his job and home projects.

12. He paints my nails. Toes and fingers. Very well. Anytime I ask.

13. He lets me paint his toes 🙂 But only in sock season.

14. His athletic ability. Any sport. Actually, sometimes that drives me nuts. But I’m proud of it.

15. He listens to my favorite band and travels for concerts, even though they’re not his favorite band.

16. He loves every meal I make. Even the new ones. Even the flops.

17. He doesn’t criticize.

18. He walks through the house when I wake up after a nightmare.

19. He changes every poopy diaper when he is home.

20. Did I already say his hair? Ok, his mondo smile 😀

21. Brady is a better housecleaner than me, and a more willing one.

22. He moved to a new province just to be with me, even though our dating relationship was rocky at the time.

23. He works so I can stay home and play with Dekker all day.

24. He will happily do a big grocery shop all on his own. The only “extra” that makes it home is chocolate. Who can complain?

I have no complaints. I have everything I need. You know that best friend that you have that compliments your personality perfectly? The one you can scrap with often but can laugh when you discover you’re arguing the same point? The one you can make macaroni with after midnight? That is Brady.

Brady boy, you are the ranch dressing to my chicken strips. I love you. I am so thankful God has given you another year.