Young House Love

DIY Home Decorating Projects, Tutorials, & Shenanigans

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Birfday Bidness

As you guys might know, last Thursday was John’s 31st birthday and West Elm in Houston whipped up this amaaaaaazingly DIY-riffic cake for him. #edibletapemeasure #umyeahtheressawdust

Every year we write birthday posts about what we got each other and this year John actually got (well, is getting, since I’m letting him pick it out) a nail gun (more info on that when we get it). So because I don’t have photos of him holding up various presents like we’ve shared in former years like this post from last year) I thought I’d over-share slash cheese it up on a Tuesday afternoon with a little brain dump of seven things I love about John (surprise, honey!). #warningitssappy

After all, this is definitely a week for being grateful. And since this whole blog is basically just a diary of our lives, I thought it was about time that I shouted a few cheeseball-but-true things from the rooftops. Which is not to say that we never fight (if you believe that I have a talking ceramic animal to sell you) but although we’re far from perfect, I’m so glad he’s mine. Here’s what I’m thankful for:

1 – John’s love of Clara and his patience with her – even when I’m about to lose my mind he’s my rock. I love how imaginative he is with her and I don’t think there’s anything sexier than walking into a room and seeing your hubby whipping up a wooden sandwich with your daughter at her play kitchen that he built for her. Or lazing around wearing matching shirts and discussing the merits of a table saw versus a hand saw. Am I right?

2 – His ability to love a small chihuahua just as much as I do… even though when we adopted Burger John said he “looked like an alien” and acted like the dog would be my thing. I think by that weekend Burger had him whipped. And that, my friends, is a guy who is comfortable with his dude-dom. I’m telling you, walking a tiny dog is the sign of a real man (it might be a good test of marriage material to those still dating… will he man up and take the leash…?). There’s not an ounce of I-won’t-do-that-because-it’s-not-manly-enough-and people-will-see-me in John (probably thanks to him growing up with three sisters) and I love that about him. He’s confident. He doesn’t look around sheepishly. If the dog needs to go out, he takes him out. If I need lady-items from the supermarket and he’s doing the shopping, he buys them for me. I won’t say he doesn’t blush and hide them in the bottom of the cart, but he gets things done. And I love it.

3 – That he kissed me first. Anyone who knows us loves this tidbit since I’m the loud outgoing one and they picture me pouncing on him… which also happens – but he pounced first. Yup, he’s a man of action. And he’s shy but confident, which might be the perfect combo. Plus I gotta say that I love the way he dresses. Some girls are into giant built guys who can scarf serious quantities of beef jerky, but I couldn’t be more into tall, dork, and handsome. Basically when John threw on this shirt with this sweater a few months ago, I swooned. It’s little things like his love of old wooden boxes or his excitement to fire up a new tool (he gets a gleam in his eye like a kid opening a new toy) that get me all giddy. It’s like his excitement is contagious. All of this rambling is to say: dude’s got style.

4 – His brain. There are many sexy things about my husband, but his quick wit is unparalleled and he makes me laugh until my stomach hurts at least once a day with some spur-of-the-moment quip that leaves me wiping the tears out of my eyes from cry-laughing. To anyone who knows us, John’s sense of humor is one of his most defining characteristics (along with his whip smart brain full of seemingly limitless trivia knowledge). Heck, he’s so smart that even though he has the answer 99% of the time (be it DIY or life related) he somehow makes me feel like I figure out my fair share of things too. How does he do that?! It’s sheer brilliance. Also he looks pretty darn good in pumpkin sunglasses. Just sayin’.

5 – His devotion to me and our family. He makes us feel safe, loved, and appreciated – I honestly couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve had relationships in the past that felt like I was chasing that person more or trying harder than them, but John makes me (and Clara) feel secure and cherished and I could almost cry talking about it. Sorry, I warned you guys this would get sappy…

6 – His calloused project-loving hands and his sweet smile (this might veer off into TMI territory, but he has the best lips ever). #backoffhesmine #putabirdonhim

7 – His willingness to help me with “one more thing” and to lay in bed at night and brainstorm our next project when I know he might rather be watching TV or out for a run or… you know, getting friendly… while I’m running my mouth about some idea instead. I couldn’t be luckier that he’s happy to be “in the trenches” with me every day. It’s amazing that he has his own interests (he can train and run a half marathon) while still staying involved with us and not checking out.

I think some folks might question what kind of man runs a DIY blog with his wife about paint and fabric and family and my answer is: a real man. I love that he can build Clara a dollhouse and code our entire website and has even built a deck for our family – although he has no background in any of that stuff. He figures things out as he goes and he’s not afraid to jump in and learn new things. And I love that he’s not scared to weigh in on my hair-brained decorating sprees instead of saying “you handle the girly stuff and I’ll stick to the power tools.” He truly makes me feel like we’re a team and we’re in it together and as a result our house feels like us. I honestly have no idea how I got so lucky. I promise I didn’t hypnotize him or anything.

In summary: he’s the one. Mah man. And he makes me happier than bees riding bicycles (and those make me pretty happy). Happy 31st birthday, babe! Thanks for everything and then some.

And so ends my lovefest for el hubbo. What are you guys grateful for? Any birthdays going on in your house? Who’s getting what?

UPDATE: John discovered the post! Finally! After doing a project in the basement, uploading photos, and editing a video (all while I sweated profusely at the computer). Here’s his reaction.

Psst- Want more lovey-dovey posts? We have a bunch of them here. And for those wondering how we resolve decorating disputes, here’s a post about that for ya.

Stuff We Love

Comments

  1. Very sweet Sherry, tears in my eyes before I even got to #1 and then actually crying by #3 – I love a good sapfest!
    Happy Birthday John!

    Reply

  2. My friend has been talking up your blog and I just thought to check you out. And now I am crying. First time here. That has to be a record.

    I, too, have a man that is not scared to walk a Chihuahua, and it is quite the testament to his manliness. This is a super sweet post. Happy Birthday, Sir!

    So glad to have found your blog-will be back often. And I know what my BFF is getting for xmas (your book! Hopefully she is not reading this!)

    Reply

  3. Oh man, that’s the sweetest.

    I’m grateful for my man too. How can you not love someone who assembles Christmas decorations for you while you finish up another DIY holiday project?

    I love my 6-foot, 150 pound, geek-y stud-muffin, who’s also one of the best fathers and partners in the world.

    Here’s a pic of him painting miniature ornaments for our son’s Christmas tree.

    Husbandz Rulz.

    Reply

  4. Aww! I think we all love some of these things about John, too. I’m always especially impressed with his willingness to figure things out as he goes and not being afraid to tackle some really complicated stuff (like the deck!). I always share those types of post with my hubby and say, “SEE?! You can DIY that!” Great post, Sherry! You guys rock.

    Reply

  5. Awwww….it reminds me how much I love my hubby. Being an amazing Daddy, husband and provider is hard work and he does it well.

    Reply

  8. Okay, seriously, you just got me all teary eyed. I am not a mushy person at all but that was just so sweet and freakin’ adorable.

    You and Clara are very lucky girls. :)

    p.s. I wonder how many female readers just sighed and thought “I want a relationship like that.” I won’t lie, I had that moment.

    Reply

    • Aw, my best advice is never settle! The guy I was dating for a very long time before John was “almost it” and it would have been so much easier to stay with him and try to make it work but for some reason I just decided to take a chance and pull the plug and hold out for the very best guy instead of settling! Like a reward from the universe, John came along next- and he was so much better for me! So glad I didn’t settle :)

      xo
      s

    • Thanks, Sherry. :) I’ve definitely tried to follow that mantra to never settle.

      I’m sure someday will arrive a man capable of putting up with my special brand of crazy. I’d like for him to hurry up though. I have some shelves to put up and I’m kinda too lazy to do it.

    • I did the same thing Sherry… I just recently (ie: last year) broke up with the guy I thought was “the one” because it felt like I was settling. I’m only 23, so I still have some time, but when it happens, I hope he’s just as amazing for me as John is for you.

  12. All together now: AWWWWWWWWWWW! I love me a good sap fest now and then. That’s the kind of marriage I hope to have someday. Not perfect, but a partnership that’s fun and interesting and sweet.

    Reply

  14. Oh man…my love just turned 40 and I may just take this post but replace John’s name with his – you are both lucky to have found each other is what it really sounds like to me!!!

    Reply

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