Happy Birthday, J!

As if the title of this post didn't give it away already, today is J's birthday! He turns 33 this year.

Damn, that's old.

When we first got together, I was 19 and he was 21. We've been together for a very long time, even though it feels like just yesterday that we met.

As is quickly becoming a birthday tradition on this blog, I thought I would tell you the 33 things I like most about J.


33. He's sweet.

32. He's funny.

31. He's my workout partner.

30. He reads my blog every day. I didn't know for a long time that he was. Now, it's a part of his daily routine. (Even though blogging is not always a daily part of mine!)

29. He thinks I'm funny. I can be off the wall crazy sometimes, and he just shakes his head and smiles. I love that I can make him laugh.

28. Along the same lines as #29, he's patient when I tease him about his age. He is almost two years older than me, so I am forever calling him "Gramps" and asking if he needs me to speak up. Whenever age comes up, I always tell him he is a different age than he really is. I think I've gotten his age "right" twice in our entire relationship, counting today. I tell him that since he is 45/68/72/51/35/87/etc. years-old he should know whatever we are talking about. At this point he doesn't even notice, and he doesn't correct me. He just continues making his point.

27. He's tall. I've always had a thing for tall guys, and he definitely fits the bill. Plus, I often need things from high places and he can reach them!

26. He cooks for me. I don't like to cook, so I don't. He picks up my slack big time.

25. He tolerates me putting a camera in his face nearly every time he turns around. He doesn't so much like his picture being taken, but I find him so photogenic, I can't help myself. I even take videos of him just because I can.

24. He's generous.

23. He's good to the cats. When we first got Zoe, she was scared to death of him because he was so tall. So he crawled around the house on hands and knees to give her the grand tour. Now, paws down, he's her favorite. He gives them treats every day just because he thinks they deserve them for being so cute.

22. He makes funny faces to make me smile.

21. He talks to the television.

20. He puts up with my blog without too much complaining. He tells me that he doesn't like to be the butt of all my jokes, but I don't think he is. I post all kinds of embarrassing stuff about myself, and I leave the truly embarrassing stuff about him out.

19. He's awesome with our cats.

18. I can tell him anything.

17. He's predictable. I can tell you what he's going to say or how he's going to react, and almost without fail I am right.

16. He has an amazing work ethic. If he starts something, he's going to finish it, come hell or high water. (Well, everything EXCEPT housework. That he could care less about finishing...)

15. He likes the orange and yellow Starburst, and I like the pink and red.

14. He'll go to the store and buy me personal items in an emergency. (Most guys I know wouldn't do it. J doesn't like to do it, but he will.)

13. He kills bugs for me. Even if I wake him out of a dead sleep to do it. Even if he is complaining the entire time. Even if he is cussing the entire time. He'll still kill them so I don't have to.

12. He goes to high school sporting events with me and cheers for my kids.

11. He loves me just the way I am. He tells me all the time that I'm cute.

10. On long trips he does the driving so I can sleep.

9. He's fun to hang out with.

8. He's cute.

7. He doesn't complain when I buy tons of books.

6. Every once in awhile he'll see "chick flicks" with me.

5. He talks a big game, but he's one of the more generous people I know. He doesn't like people to think he's nice, but he can't really hide it that well.

4. He takes the trash out at night. I'm too chicken to go out to the trash cans after dark, so he'll do it for me.

3. He once bought me a birthday card that said on the outside, "I can be paid not to do my birthday dance." When I opened, a song started playing, and it said, "Too late." When I looked up laughing, J was dancing...and he dances about as well as I do.

2. He loves to have a good time.

and the number one thing I like most about J?

1. He's my best friend.

Happy Birthday, J! I love you!!