(to Mike on his fortieth birthday)
You strive for improvement. You love me as much without makeup as with. You help Sam create and make him feel that his ideas are possible. You make house calls to coworkers in their times of joy or sorrow. You are quick to extol the virtues in others. You don’t watch people suffer from a distance; you find out what you can do to help. You love my cooking. You compliment me and make me feel beautiful. You listen without judgment to my insecurities. You compliment my parenting. You go to Sydney’s class when she invites you. You ask my advice. You give me advice but trust me to make my own decisions. You honor my strengths and talents. You seem oblivious to my shortcomings. You support Berkeley and make him feel like a superstar. You are a good son; you take a legacy from your upbringing and make it real and important to your own children. You accept all of our children as they are. You make goals and then make them realities. You are up for anything—from cross-country skiing to laser tag—you’ll do it if I suggest it. You take your family camping in the summer and skiing in the winter and you keep us outfitted for all manner of recreation. You are smart. You are funny. You want to do what’s right. You do what’s right. You understand me. You trust me. You take an interest in my interests and treat me like an authority on those things. You make me feel like I am better than I am. You love your friends but prefer your family. You adore your children. You honor the priesthood and love God above all else. You are a patient teacher. You pray for people. You celebrate the accomplishments of others. You do not get jealous of anyone for any reason. You keep your mind and body clean and pure. You work out. You enjoy doing hard things.
That’s how I love thee…
“…to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight.
….I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.”
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
