#bennybdaymania

Last week, we celebrated the birthday boy.

Here at the rothwell square, we commit to filling all seven+ days of the week with birthday-ness. Since it's only the two of us, we find it's way more fun to spread out the festivities & make them last longer! Yes...we're kids at heart.

But this year, life events demanded Ben's birthday week be a total "grown up" week filled with grown up responsibilities -- welcoming all his college students back on site, starting his master's degree, hosting Southeastern University execs from Florida, and last but not least, preaching up a STORM at all of CrossWalk's weekend services. 

Despite it being a wild, whirlwind week, I refused to let it pass without acknowledging the reasons I love the birthday boy! (it's my job as a wife, you know...) So while he's busy writing sermons, reading a tower of textbooks, planning meetings, and editing university handbooks, I'll cuddle up on our couch with my iced coffee sub pumpkin spice and write about this high-performing-task-oriented-overachieving-always-leading husband of mine. 

taken by my sweet sister-in-law

(since I'll never adequately put the amount of my love into words, I'll attempt to put the moments I love into words. After all, it's the beautiful togetherness we share that makes up our love...am I right?!)

I love him during the quiet moments at the rothwell square. I love him when we have taylor swift blaring, and the kitchen is a wreck, but we're having a dance party. I love him when we're driving around town - off to do something he doesn't necessarily want to do, but he's doing for me. I love him when we walk hand-in-hand at the farmers' market. I love him when we sit next to each other at work meetings, both getting passionate about the same thing, simultaneously. I love him (enough to melt) when I catch his stare from across the room & he sends me a quick wink. I love him when he wears his boxers around the house. I love him when I groggily awake to dishes clanging in the kitchen & I know he's making us breakfast. I love him when he comes out of the H&M dressing room sporting a scoop neck tee & skinny jeans...plus a brooding squint that'd land him a magazine spread. I love him when his eyes well up while talking about the Word. I love him when he eagerly opens our home to others and hosts with expertise. I love him when he whistles before, during, after, & between his daily tasks. I love him when he slumps in his seat after every meal - fancy or fast food - his stance is always the same. I love him even when he throws his hands up in angry antics while we're arguing. I love him when he records programs on TV that he'll know I want to watch. I love him when he fills our home with music from a freshly strung guitar. I love him when he wakes me up to cuddle 10 minutes before our alarm goes off. I love him when he uses his words to encourage, empower, & edify others. I love him when he preaches - when he grips his Bible & raises his voice with conviction, with truth, with anointing. I love him when he calls my mom "mom" & tells me to always honor her.  I love him when he half smirks & rolls his eyes at something I do that he doesn't want to admit he thinks is cute.  I love him when he sticks up for his family - always loyal & brave in the midst of their trials. I love him when he proofs my articles & gives me insightful feedback. I love him when he offers me his t-shirts. I love him when he makes quick 7-11 runs for blue bell ice cream. I love him when he sends me cheeky emails at work. I love him when he mows our lawn on hot summer days - without a single complaint...and without a shirt. I love him when he reaches for my hand & prays powerful prayers over us & our families. I love him when he huffs and puffs at the TV screen during football games. I love him when he takes center stage & the microphone. I love him when we sit down for meals at our not-yet-painted table - a place of safety, sharing, conversation, & closeness. I love him when he supports my dreams, adopting them as his own even when I am afraid. I love him when I see him lead so well - so gifted, so full of wisdom, so honorable & virtuous.