big families = big blessings

Mondays are slow, the election is upon us, life is busy, and so I want to take a moment and tell you who I love.

I love Jordan. He’s the best friend and husband-to-be a girl could ask for. I love that He delights in God’s word, that he thinks I’m beautiful, and that he loves all the quirks that come with a girl like me. I love that we have fun together being outside, reading, watching movies, playing games. I love that he keeps me sane, that he loves to laugh, and that he’s smart and hard-working. And I love that I get to marry him very, very soon.

I love my brother. I love that he’s funny and cares passionately about politics (even though we don’t always agree). I love the he’s smart, and that he introduced me to The Coffee Pub and their incredible Chai Tea. I love that he will make a very quirky professor one day (quirky runs in our family) and that he’s one of my very best friends. I also love that we laugh at the same things. I do not love that he is going to leave me and go to Harding, but I’m proud of his new adventure.

I love my cousins. I love that big families=big blessings. I love that I have two younger “sisters” or “fuzzins” who live just down the road. I love that I’ll be in Tallahassee a little longer to watch them grow up some more. I love that we laugh together and that they make fun of me even though I just know they think I’m cool. I love that they are beautiful, funny, and quirky. I love that with them, I can be nerdy and goofy, and I can go see High School Musical 3 on opening day.

I love my dad. I love that I am so much like him. I love that he’s a leader in the church, and I love that he raised me to be a leader too. I love that he’s a good cook and makes me breakfast (which will be very sad to give up in deed). I love that we read the paper together in the mornings and that he taught my brother and me to be independent thinkers. I love that he has a cheesy sense of humor and that he loves my mom A TON.

I love my mom. I love that we look alike. I love that we’re so much alike that we sometimes get on each other’s nerves. I love that we’re both stubborn. I love our “Gilmore Girls” moments and our mini-adventures. I love when we go shopping together, even if we don’t buy anything. I love snuggling in bed with her and watching movies. I love that she steals those same movies from my personal collection when I’m not looking. I love that she’ll still let me do laundry at her house even when I’m married. I love that our house is a home and that it always will be.

I love my aunt, my uncle, my grandma, and my other aunt. I love that they all live together and that they have the best food. I love that Chet and I (and now Jordan) can visit anytime; I don’t even have to call first. I love that I can sit on their kitchen counter and tell them what I’m thinking. I love that we talk politics, and books, and sports, and that we’re all different but all alike. I love that they make up my other home and that I can count on them for anything.

I love these people because they love me and make up who I am. I think you should know them too. They're pretty amazing.