If you would have asked me seven years ago who I was going to marry and stuck my husband in the lineup, I absolutely would have said, “not THAT guy!”
On that fateful day over seven years ago—our first day at West Point when we met—everything about him screamed “not my type!” He had a tough exterior, a seemingly defiant demeanor, and of course that super sexy buzz cut (admittedly not his fault since all male new cadets at West Point are subjected to this great tradition on the first day). At any rate, I was totally not interested. And he’ll be the first to say that he definitely didn’t see anything special in my goody-two-shoes ways either…
But thanks be to God, we later warmed up to each other enough to have a real conversation or two, learn each others’ first names (I actually laughed when I learned his), and eventually take a deeper look.
Like any road, ours has had its twists and turns, but Peter’s support, sacrifice, and ability to provide the care we need at literally each moment has remained constant. He has the uncanny ability to draw me out of my shell and embrace my vulnerabilities when I try to hide them. I’ve felt his strong arms lift me when I had no physical strength of my own; I’ve heard his words of love and comfort lift me out of grief and pain. I’ve seen his smile, heard his laugh, and felt his joy as we’ve shared life’s blessings. I’ve watched him selflessly let go of his own dreams and opportunities to give us the best life possible, despite the fact that it means so much sacrifice on his end. I've listened to his prayers, leaned on his faith when mine was weak, and followed him along with God into the great unknown without reservation.
On so many occasions he's surprised me with little gifts for no reason, a note of encouragement, or just the right story with the right laugh factor that will make my day. He is fiercely loyal, fiercely competitive, and secretly sensitive. I’ve been privy to his keen intelligence and have battled with him to see who could find the worst OER or NCOER bullet or the make the best Scrabble move. I’ve watched him do the heavy lifting, the manly projects, and the taxes. I’ve shared his love of hockey, skiing, and great wine; I've and tolerated his love(obsession) of Colorado and ridiculously spicy food.
And despite the old adage a man’s stomach is the way to his heart, my observation is that his kids are. There’s nothing that melts my heart more than seeing his heart melt when he’s around our children; watching the way he interacts with them, sharing his amazement at the wonderful gifts that have been born out of the depths of our love, feeling how his heart breaks as we experience loss and lead each other through it.
He is my husband, my soulmate, the completion of “US.” He is my Peter, and on this anniversary of his birth when we celebrate his life, and on Valentine’s Day when we celebrate our love, I submit that I could not be more grateful to God for both.
This was so touching!! So wonderful to see people more in love each day.
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