27 Things...

... about Mark

1. He is 6’6”, and has been since he was like in the 3rd grade (kidding, but I don’t think I’m too far off… maybe 7th grade??)

2. He’s extremely smart. Seriously smart. Way over my head smart. He reads philosophy books and I read US Weekly.

3. He is my best friend, by far.

4. He hates ham because he threw up after eating a grilled ham and cheese sandwich ONE time.

5. He is selfless. Truly.

6. He is one of the most patient people I have ever meant. He has to put up with me, so that oughtta tell ya something!

7. He always gives people the benefit of the doubt.

8. He is a romantic. Over the course of our almost ten year relationship, I have received flowers, love letters, jewelry, countless handmade gifts (the best kind of gifts), mix tapes (dang, we’re getting old!). I have been sent on scavenger hunts, taken out on numerous surprise dates, had the best proposal I could ever dream of, and he has written lots of songs for me.

And he cried at our wedding… a lot.

9. He puts up with way more than he should. From me, mostly.

10. He loves Jesus, cares about the poor, and has a huge heart to want to show people they are loved.

11. He is the best dad. Kate adores him and he feels the same way about her. Watching the two of them interact is amazing. As I was getting ready the other day, I could hear Kate’s laughter through the walls as they were playing together. I turned off the exhaust fan in the bathroom just to hear it a little clearer. Melts. My. Heart.

12. He used to be a hippie. He had hair down past his shoulders, wore hemp necklaces, patch pants, rope sandals, and some awful Patchouli oil. He drove a car that he let everyone paint on. He went to Phish concerts all over and danced like a maniac. I’ve witnessed it. It’s scary.

13. We didn’t like each other back then. At all. I thought he was weird and he thought I was stuck up. Which, I probably was. But, in all fairness, he was weird.

14. He would do anything for me. I probably abuse that at times. When I was newly pregnant, we saw a commercial for Reese’s Peanut Butter cups at 11:00 at night. We were already in bed, all warm and cozy. I just had to have one right then. After asking me, “Are you serious?”, he got out of bed, got dressed and went to the gas station. When he got home, I was already asleep. I woke up to find a king size Reese’s next to my bed. Poor guy!

15. He knows just how I like my Quick Trip cappuccino.

16. He is an amazing photographer. Check him out: Mark Ryan Photography
http://mr-photo.com/

17. He can’t make small talk to save his life.

18. He does just as much around the house as I do.

19. He makes this meal called “The Stuff” that he made up. People ask for it all the time.

20. He has more creativity in his pinkie finger than I will ever have. His mind just works like that.

21. He secretly would love to be a wine connoisseur. Once, for like a month, he and a friend kept a Wine Journal, where they documented how different wines tasted and gave them a rating.

22. He is my exact opposite, but we work. God does things like that.

23. He could probably answer any Seinfeld question you threw at him.

24. He knows my family and loves them anyway (just kidding, guys!).

25. Our first kiss was incredibly awkward.

26. He is allergic to animals (the perfect excuse to tell our kids! No pets here.)

27. He’s ours.

And, today is his birthday. He’s 27 today.

Mark, we love you so much, and are grateful for all you do for us and for the way you love us with everything you have. Thanks for being so gentle and patient. Thanks for being such a great listener when I ramble on and on. Kate wants to thank you for loving Mommy when she’s not so lovable. (Really… that one came from her!) Babe, thanks for not only loving me, but for liking me too. Thanks for pulling out the camera all the time so we have lasting memories.

We are your number one fans and always will be. Happy Birthday! Here’s to 27… let’s make it the best year yet.

Love,
Jen & Katers