5-on-5

I am going to be honest with you....I don't remember a lot about our big day back 5 years ago on October 21, 2006. I don't remember what we ate, what the decorations looked like or even what was really said in the course of the day. What I do remember and what will always remain with me is the first time I saw lynz in her wedding dress. I had just changed and the temple workers had asked me to sit and wait for my new bride. I sat and sat and sat and as Brad Paisley says "was waiting on a woman" but let me tell you....it was well worth it!!!!! She walked out in her amazing wedding dress and my jaw just dropped. She looked absolutely beautiful!!!!! I will never forget how I felt when I saw her and we grabbed hands and walked out as a Husband and Wife ready to begin a life full of memories and experiences that would continue the process of binding us together as an eternal family. How grateful I am for Lynz and for the past 5 years we have had together!!!



I thought it fitting that on our 5 year anniversary I would do a 5-0n-5. 5 things that I love, respect, adore, and admire about my friend. Here it goes:

1. She is the most strong-willed and determined woman I have ever known. When Lynz sets her mind to something she does it wholeheartedly. Recently she has been doing Zumba 2x/week and running in the mornings at 6am 3x/week. She has done awesome!!! I am inspired by her dedication and her will to do what she has said she would do. Not long ago when we were living in Portland, Lynz had told me she wanted to run a 10k. She began running on the treadmill at the complex where we were living and that continued for a good while. I came home from school one day and lynz was home and so excited to tell me about her day. The first thing she told me was that she had run 10k on the treadmill that day. I was so proud of her and impressed by her doing what she actually said she was going to do. That's why I love her today :)

2. She is an amazing mom and wife. I know that is the token answer of a lot of husbands when asked what they love about their wives but I feel like I have gotten a glimpse of a different side of Lynz as a mom and wife on this tiny island of Statia where we are living. A lot of people think....oh man they are living in Caribbean while Dust is in school, how hard can life be. Well, its fun living on a remote island for the first week as everything is new and exciting. After the honeymoon phase wears off the realization hits that...we do live on a island and my husband is in school 6 days a week for most of the day and there is very little to do besides the beach. Lynz has done an amazing job compensating for the lack of things to do by being creative with the boys in the things they do around the house and the I have seen an increase of patience and love towards them and me. She has an ability to turn any situation into the best it can possibly be and that rubs off on me and the boys. She definitely sets the tone in our home and I have realized that more and more as we have lived in Statia. That's why I love her today :)



3. The quote "don't pass judgement on someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes" can be applied perfectly to Lynz. We at times have difference of opinions and as she has taught me...that is a good thing in a marriage. When those moments do come up whether in a discussion we are having or in any number of situations, lynz tries to step back from the situation and stand in the other persons shoes. She tries to understand the other point of view. She doesn't rush to judgement or refuse to move from what she is saying. She considers everything and is one of the most compassionate and caring people I know. She honestly wants to understand someone else and you can see that and feel that when those moments come up. She is a "true" friend to me, the boys and so many others. This extends to the forgiving nature that she has. She has a pure heart, one that I truly believe sees the good in everyone and everything. She has a way of making you feel like you matter and that she loves you unconditionally no matter the circumstances. That's why I love her today :)

4. Freak....I wish I would have learned to play the piano!!! Every time I see Lynz play the piano I am jealous that she has that talent. I don't know if she knows this but I love instrumental piano music. I could listen to it for hours and hours. Her parents used to have a piano and I loved it when she would just sit down and start playing. One of the things I look forward to the most is one day having a piano in our home. I want her to teach the boys to play and who knows...maybe one day ME!!! Her favorite thing to play are hymns and I look forward to the day when on a Sunday morning she can sit down at the piano and play some hymns or the boys can. Music has an unbelievable way of changing the mood of a day or a moment and I am grateful that lynz has that talent. That's why I love her today :)



5. I don't know why I notice this but Lynz has great feet...Nice looking toes that are always painted some jazzy color. Not much more to say about this one....she has taught me to appreciate the small things....like painted toe-nails. that's why I love her today :)

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY FRIEND!!!!!

A little shot of Statia: