The things I do because I love you

Yesterday we celebrated 12 years of marriage. Last year we went to Hawaii, this year we ran a 10K together. That is 6.2 miles of sidewalk pounding fun. We purchased a treadmill for Christmas and I was determined to put it to use. I found a race nearby and didn't even glance at the 5K option. Somehow I convinced Mike to train with me, and we set our goal: run it in under an hour. I know you die hard runners are snickering saying an hour is pathetic, but it was a just right doable goal for us. My own goal was to run the entire time. I accomplished both and I can't tell you how good that makes me feel. My time was 57:34 and Mike was so close with 1 hour 2 minutes. Yes, I left him in the dust but I think our marriage is okay. It's definitely better than if he would have come in before me (yea, I admit it, I'm slightly competitive). Today as Mike hobbles down the stairs with his sore muscles and mutters just loud enough so I can hear it "the things I do because I love you", I'm reminded of how many times he's had reason to say that in the last 12 years.
Like when I made him go on an overnight hiking trip when Gabe was 1. I carried Gabe and he
carried 50+ pounds of gear 4 or 5 miles in.
Or every time he has unclogged my vacuum after I suck up a sock or bouncy ball.
Or when I get big ideas to do a music video for my young women's group and then he ends up making it all when I can't quite figure it out
One of the best was yesterday when 3 Primary teachers called me before church saying they wouldn't be able to teach and so Mike willingly teaches all 18 kids.
I love him, he's the best and part of that is because he will continue doing so many things he'd rather not do. . . just because he loves me.

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