So it’s been some time since I have written anything “interesting” and have wanted to share it with the world. It has been my intention to keep up with this blog if for nothing else to help me recall the wonderful memories we have made while living in Belgium as well as to share the tidbits of oddities I encounter on a daily basis. But life has been pretty crazy here and having two children under the age of two make it a challenge to sit and have any real coherent thought much less the time to write them down!

However, today I celebrate five years of marriage to my wife Melissa so I figured what better subject to write about than the wonderful gift of God that I have had the pleasure to share a life with. It’s hard to believe that we have only been married for five years today. We have experienced so much and yet it seems like only yesterday we were meeting for our first date at Applebee’s on my lunch hour. And although her first impression of me was not all that great, she said yes to a second meeting and the rest… Well I guess you could say it turned out well for me.

For those that know her, Melissa is a true friend, a good mother, a gifted teacher and above all she strives to be a true believer in Christ. She sometimes wears her emotions on her sleeve and rarely will hide her opinions on a matter if she truly believes in the cause. Her passion for life is seen in so many ways in the practical things she does for people. She has made me a better father and demands that I be a better man.

In all of this, she continues to show me grace every day when I make mistakes, forget special days or simply scowl when in public (I’m awkward like that…). In all things, Melissa strives to live out the idea of unconditional love. Her desire to see God work in all things has helped me maintain a more positive outlook on life and her ability to see the good in things helps keep my pessimistic nature in check.

There are so many things I could write but if I go to long she will think I am trying to butter up for something (which I might just be!).

So with that, I close this “replacement” for an anniversary card (which would be in French anyway…) to say Melissa Ann I love you and am so thankful for who you are in my life and look forward to growing old with you and raising all these kids!

Papi’