An Open Letter to my Husband

Dear Sean,

I turned 39 this week – and you got me some really cool Vibram Fivefingers that I’ve been drooling over for two years.You know I’m still on cloud nine. But even better than than that, you took the day off work just so you could spend the day with us. That made the day just perfect!

So now, I am in a mushy-gushy mood AND I’m on a quest for a uniquely “you” present for Christmas. I’ve found a few things I like for you, but none are “saying” exactly what I want to say. Therefore, in an attempt to underline how very much I do love you, I’ve opted for this very public place to declare some of the reasons I love AND like you.

And unlike most NASCAR drivers, I will NOT cop out and use the lame, “I can’t thank or say enough about you” line. That gets on my nerves, as you well know. And you know it irks me because I comment on it every time you watch a race. As for races… that’s as good of a place as any to start.

I am not a race person – but you are. Not once, though, have you made me feel guilty for not wanting to go to a race. Not once have you tried to talk me into it (okay, maybe once). We tease each other about our differences – but you don’t try to change my mind about it. We’ve been married for over 16 years and I don’t remember ever going to a race related event (except for that one party at the speedway when we were first married, but I don’t even think there was a race or anything going on. Was there?)  Anyway, thank you. Thank you for not expecting me to like racing just because you do. Who knows, I might go with you one day. You’ll have to buy me something good from the food stands, though. And I’ll need to know who I’m supposed to pull for. Is there a purple car? That is my fave color, you know.

That brings me to the next thing. You know my favorite stuff. You know that I love virgin pina coladas. You know that I am a huge fan of hot chocolate. You know that I wish we had at least one rainy day each weel… and that we had a tin roof to enjoy the downpour.

And rain – remember the day we went hiking and it started the bottom dropped out? And the thunder rolled? Yep. You never lost your cool. You just herded us all up the hill and back to the car. You kept calm when some of us (not me, or your oldest child – of course – hah!) were getting a wee bit worried.  When we did get back to the car (soaked and all), you gave me your extra pair of shorts to wear because I’d forgotten mine. And then you, me and the kids all sat in the parking garage and  ate what was supposed to be our picnic lunch.

And – food. I know you have allergies to some things – but for the most part, you eat whatever I cook. Even when it’s looks or tastes weird. And you’ve even expanded your horizons since we’ve married. You are open to trying new healthy dishes. Thank you for not being a picky eater.

Let’s address the “Pickiness” factor. You are picky about some things — but it’s probably a good thing in some cases. You put your keys in a certain place all the time. I always lose mine. You like to have trips planned out to the letter – I like to jump in the car and go.  I am a free-flowing kind of gal – you are more of a structured kind of fella. But we balance each other. It’s a good thing. Otherwise, we’d be a keyless pair who never went anywhere! 🙂

I suppose I need to wrap this little letter up before you get tired of reading – but I really do have tons more to say. So I guess, in a way, I am like the NASCAR guys. I really can’t say enough about you. But… at least I tried. 🙂

You are a great daddy, a fabulous son, brother, son-in-love, brother-in-love, bass guitarist and sound guy. You are my fishing buddy, my poker buddy and the one I want to be with for the rest of my life. I don’t say it enough, but you are a wonderful husband, Sean Allen Earnhardt – and I love you to distraction.

love,

me

p.s. Don’t worry – this isn’t the only gift. So don’t go shaking stuff under the tree! 🙂