To My Natalie

I know this may seem a little cheesy to share with everyone but I think Natalie needs to hear it and I cant think of a better place to surprise her (and embarrass her at the same time). It has been nearly six years since I fell in love with Natalie. We have had nothing short of an adventure in our five years of marriage yet it has been the most wonderful years of my life. We have finished two degrees, moved six times, had three kids, and accomplished much in between. Natalie and I first met as students in Rexburg, Idaho. She had come to meet my roommates and fate had it that I was the only one home. It was her gorgeous smile that first attracted me to her, almost as if it were permanent and nothing could wipe it off her face (I wish I could say that it was because she couldn’t stop thinking about how good looking I was, but we all know that had nothing to do with it). I could not help to continue to fall in love with every other aspect of who she was. Her innocence, her faith, her cheerful attitude. It was all that I had hoped for... more than I had hoped for. Why she agreed to marry me is beyond comprehension but I am sure glad she did.
So why do I love her?

I have always been impressed by her level of devotion to the church. She showed me in the little things she did what a faithful member of the church should be, yet she did it by simply being herself. She didn’t like to miss her meetings, and felt obligated to make sure she attended her own ward even when I would ask her to attend mine. She felt it important to visit her sisters each month. And she always devoted time to her callings and did them well. Even today she stands constantly concerned about others in the ward than she does herself. It seems that she naturally feels the heartache that others are feeling and it draws her to think about and try to help them. Even as I write she is making cookies for the Elders (they have had a tough couple of weeks in teaching). After we got married, Natalie felt it important to continue fulfilling her callings. She also devotes the time to our family where the gospel is concerned. Every night, even when I am not home, she ensures that our children read the scriptures and say their prayers. And she is always teaching them what is good and helping them to focus on it. I am grateful that our children will grow up knowing that the gospel is not just an important thing but that it is literally who they are.

She is possibly the world’s best mother. It would seem to most that the ability she has to nurture her children was perfected before her birth. This might account for the fact that she desired Early Childhood Education as her major in school. It is a part of her and she does so well at it. Never does she correct a child without telling them why. She is fair to each of our children and makes sure that her time is equal among them. When she is away from them, they are her number one concern. We cant even go on a date without spending most of our time talking about the fun things they did that day or how they made her laugh…or cry. Her love for them is also shown by the endless gigabytes of pictures that she has taken to make sure each of them have pictures of their childhood. They are her number one joy. Could these children have been blessed with a more devoted and caring mother!

And well, then there comes me. So many times has she sacrificed her time and energy for me. I do not consider myself to be the smartest student, thus it takes me more time to memorize or understand various concepts concerning my future profession. This translates into many late nights at school. And when I am late, Natalie does not get a break from the kids. Yet, she is so often willing to give me the time I need to be successful in school. I also have a demanding calling at church. We only have one vehicle so it is never an option for one of to go home when the other needs to stay at church. This means that she has to get all of the kids up and ready for church by herself every Sunday and stays at the church afterwards while I participate in meetings. Yet, I cannot remember a time that she has complained. She is the epitome of love and sacrifice in marriage.

She has so many other talents: cooking, organizing, teaching, crafting, blogging and journal keeping, dancing, loving, and just being a friend.

I am thankful for the love of such a companion and I hope that she knows how much I love her.