My Husband, My Hero, My Heart

Valentine's Day - 2009

   My husband and I will be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary in just a few days. Today, being Valentine's Day and our anniversary being on the 19th, I wanted to take a break from my usual posts and share a little bit about my husband.

He's an awesome Dad! '07

   When my husband and I were courting, I told him he was my hero. I even got him a Superman ornament for Christmas...I know, corny. What can I say? I was goo goo gaga for the guy!

This is the only wedding photo I have digitized.

   It's funny how you begin your life together and you have ideas about what life is going to end up looking like, but you really can't imagine what the future will really hold. We certainly couldn't have imagined in our head-over-heels-in-love state the kinds of challenges and difficulties we would end up facing together. (Of course, we have had wonderful, great times in our life too!)

Our little family in 2003.

   But I just want to tell you that my husband is more a hero to me today than he was 14 years ago. That man has stood by me through the years, and sometimes it's been through some pretty crazy stuff. He's so supportive, so loyal, so amazing!

Just the two of us at Disney World in 2004.

   I don't think I really knew how amazing he was until my health collapsed. I must admit I had let some past offenses taint my view of him. Sometimes it takes something hard to realize how much you really have, how much people really love you, how blessed you really are.

Snow fun in 2005.

   My husband took over things I couldn't do, coming home from work only to work more (he still does this). I know it is ultimately the hand of God, but I probably wouldn't still be here if it weren't for my husband.

Our little family in 2008

   That wonderful man took time off of work to drive me to all the doctor appointments, wheel me from the car to the doctor's office, sit with me in the waiting room, explain the situation repeatedly to doctors.

Our little bit bigger family in 2010.

   While I was fighting for my life, so was he. When the case proved too difficult for the doctors, he would make the calls to get in to see another doctor as soon as possible. He never stopped fighting for me. He never gave up. If it hadn't been for him, I'm pretty sure I would be dead.

The two of us - 2013

   So today, as we celebrate a day that is often about a silly and shallow definition of "love", I'm celebrating being so loved by an incredible man, that he has laid down his life for me for numerous months and continues to do so. My husband has made a lot of sacrifices in the past year and a half. I am so, so blessed. He is a wonderful example of this verse:

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her."

Ephesians 5:25

   Gary, I love you! Thanks for fighting for me and being my guy! You're my hero more than ever and you have my heart! Thank you so much for showing me Christ's love these past several months. You're one in a million!

Our family last December, 2013

So thankful and blessed,

Adriel

P.S. I had to go hunting for pics of the two of us. They're not easy to find!