Eleven

Dear Chris,   In years past I've written you a birthday post, an anniversary one and a Father's day one the last two years.  As life gets busy, and words seem to come to me much less easy, I'm grouping them into one letter.  But promise it'll be good.  
Thank you for pursuing me over and over when I was 15 and for not giving up when I told you I didn't think it would work out.  I can not imagine if you would've given in and not fought to convince me we belonged together. 
Thank you for always having the more positive attitude.  For being optimistic and seeing the better side of things.  I don't know what life would look like if you had my point of view in most things. I can imagine and it's not pretty.  I'm so glad I've become less worried, more optimistic and able to relax a little bit, thanks to you.  
Thank you for forgiving easily and letting things go.  I don't think there is anyone in the world that can do that better than you.  You work things out and then move on and don't hold on to anything. You love people so well.
Thank you for working so hard.  Years ago when you said you someday wanted to work for yourself and have your own business, while I supported that idea I didn't know if it would ever happen.  You tried multiple things that didn't pan out, and you just kept trying.  I could not be more proud of how hard you have worked the last four years.  When I go into your office and think about all your responsibilities, how happy your employees are and how well your company is doing, I feel so thankful you didn't give up on your dream.  
Thank you for loving me during our struggles, especially the years we fought to get pregnant. They were hard, emotional and full of a lot of learning what each other needed.  Thank you for working to figure out what I needed, for listening to me, holding me and crying with me during those times. They made our marriage stronger and I'm thankful for those struggles.  
Thank you for meeting me in the middle in so many things.  We've learned to compromise when it comes to being relaxed verses worried, spending verses saving and talking about things verses letting them go.  We are so opposite but we've become more like each other year after year, and I truly believe we make each other better.  
Thank you for being the best dad for our babies.  You are loving, silly, careful and fun.  You are tender and cry when you hold Isaac or when you talk about how much you love Addilyn.  You read books with funny voices, make up songs and build forts.  I never doubted you'd be a good dad, but I didn't know how much I'd love you because of it.  
Life looks so different now than it did five years ago.  Sometimes I miss our days of vacations and tv marathons.  Of having plenty of time for each other and plenty of time alone.  But I couldn't be more grateful for where we are now.  I still can't believe we have two kids.  We get to be parents to the sweetest little girl and boy and get to do it together.  I know I'm tired and often short with you and by the end of the day what I feel like I have left to give you is not much.  Thank you for loving me regardless.  
Eleven years ago we said I do and I know we'd both do it again and again.  Happy anniversary, happy birthday and happy father's day.  There isn't anyone I'd rather celebrate than you.  I love you.