I {heart} Patrick...

In honor of Valentine's Day, I figured I would reflect on why I love Patrick... He's out of town today, but that doesn't mean I can't think about him and wish he was here...*sniff sniff...*  So here are 10 reasons why I think he's the best ever...

1. He hates to leave us...no matter where he's going, or for what reason, when he goes out of town he has a hard time going and leaving us behind.  One time he even got all the way to where he was going (on a backpacking trip) and turned around and came home because he missed us.  He worries about me having to take care of Braden alone, and he worries he's going to miss some great family moment (unless you call meatloaf a great family moment, he isn't missing much this time...)
2. He loves to do dishes.  Who wouldn't love a husband like that?  It's especially nice since I love to cook but absolutely hate doing the dishes.
3. Twice a year he takes the day off work so I can go to Scrapbook USA.  And as if that isn't enough, when I come home late that night the house is ALWAYS clean--no matter how dirty I left it.  Add that to the fact that he usually has a stash of cash he gives me to buy lots of scrapbooking stuff with and he MIGHT be the perfect husband ever.
4. He doesn't fight with me.  At the time that I am angry, this sort of bugs me, but after I have cooled down I see the wisdom of his ways.  That doesn't mean we don't disagree or discuss things...he just refuses to have heated, loud voices arguments. (He's probably cursing me in his mind, but he doesn't vocalize it.)
5. He is thoroughly and totally devoted to our kids.  Once, when Colby was little, and Patrick was leaving (he was only going to the gas station), as he drove away Colby was watching him out the screen door...and suddenly he was back putting Colby's shoes on to take him with him.  He couldn't stand to see his little face peeking out the door at him as he drove away.
6. He cleans the litter boxes even though he doesn't necessarily love the cats.  He does it for me because I DO love the cats...and I am allergic and have to stay away from the litter boxes.
7. When he's around, he takes care of Braden almost exclusively...he doesn't want me lifting him or doing anything that might hurt me.  And every day after Braden has left for school he calls to make sure I got him onto the bus okay.
8. He has embraced my couponing ways.  Not only does he appreciate my savings, he has actually searched for coupons for me, printed coupons for me at work, and he now shares my attitude of hating to pay full price for anything.  (Although he gets sad when I don't buy grapefruit or broccoli because it isn't on sale...)
9.  He is careful about throwing clothes in the laundry because he knows how much I hate doing it and he's trying to keep the pile to a minimum (...either that or he knows I won't iron it and he's likely to not see it for another 6 months--that's always a possibility)
10. He gives me the freedom to do just about anything I want...and he encourages me to pursue anything I want to try.  Lately he has been encouraging me to go back to school when I express regret at not finishing and getting my degree.  It isn't possible right now, but maybe in the future...

So Happy Valentine's Day, Patrick...and by the way, I still think your new glasses are sexy.