For Always

January 1, 2012

At the end of 2010, I married the most amazing man. In 2011, I experienced how wonderful it is to come home to the most handsome man I've ever known. This year, 2012, I have decided to jot down at least one or two things that I love about my husband, Jason, each day. I've known so many people who seem to forget why they married each other years down the road. Well, I want to make sure I always remember the reasons I love my husband. I never want to overlook all that he's done for me and how wonderfully loving he is.

To Jason P. Brown, for always.

January 1, 2012 memories

The first words I heard this morning were from my husband... "You are so beautiful," he said. During the day he cleaned our home, took out the trash, and emptied the cat litter. At the end of the day he asked, "Is there anything I can do to make your last day off more enjoyable?" Although he'd already made my day so amazing, he offered to get me a glass of water. He's too wonderful!

Just like Jason, later in the day he began discussing his frustration with how others are unfairly treated. He talked about why we are all equal and how he can't stand when others are taken advantage of. One of the main things that drew me to Jason when dating was how infuriated he was when others seemed taken advantage of. He's always wanted to stick up for the weak or soft spoken. I've always been somewhat soft spoken myself, and Jason has always stuck to his principles... he listens and fights for you when he thinks you need help. I've been in many conversations with Jason where someone has said something off and even hateful toward a certain group of people. During a conversation like that, Jason can usually be heard politely giving his viewpoint. I've heard him try to speak up for those who couldn't defend themselves in a conversation because they simply weren't there. An example: when someone discusses prisoners, drug addicts, homeless people, etc. I love that Jason looks past himself and tries to see others, and he isn't afraid to encourage others to do the same.

Right before bed, Jason accidentally bumped into me and then did it again. Jason is not a clumsy person at all, but he was tonight. He'd accidentally hit my leg and then we both ended up hysterically laughing. Someone looking in from the outside would have thought, "really guys? It's not that funny..." Although Jason can easily be serious and have deep conversations about life, he can always be lighthearted and playful. There are moments when I laugh so hard with him that I can't breathe. It's moments like this that I don't ever want to lose or forget.

January 2, 2012

When dating, I loved that Jason not only helped others but he always made sure to take care of himself. I don't think most people look for things like this when dating, but to me it is vital. Because Jason makes sure to take care of himself, he is better able to help others and be there for me. I love that he does this. I think this is one major reason he throws himself into fun projects or experiments. I always joke that he's going to one day blow up the world with one of his mad experiments... truth is, I think they are wonderful and I love that he does them. Jason started off this year with a few new experiments: making beer, restoring cornets (he technically started that late last year, but he's still doing it), and fixing up an old turn table. If ever there was a handyman . . . he would be called Jason Brown.

I also love the fact that Jason always encourages me to take care of myself, too. This past year has been hard for me because I starting a job as a counselor. I love being able to help people, but sometimes it's hard to hear horrible stories one right after another for five hours straight. Well, last night before bed, Jason asked if I wanted to exercise and read a book together. Jason knows exercising always helps me feel better and he also knows how much I love reading. I don't think I would have done either of those things if he hadn't asked. When I forget to take care of myself, Jason is unbelievably good at reminding me that I need to. It means a lot to me how much he obviously cares for my sanity and health.

Jason and I usually take turns exercising while the other person reads. Well, tonight while I was exercising we heard a loud noise from downstairs. It obviously wasn't caused by us and to our surprise both our cats were with us... I immediately freaked...I'm pretty jumpy and uneasy with loud noises. Jason knew I was worried and he told me to stay upstairs with a phone while he went downstairs and looked around. I kept my phone on me and watched as he looked around and then went outside to see if anyone was there. Finally he came inside and said he couldn't see anything. I'm so thankful he has the courage to do things like that when I don't. I can always count on him. Luckily nothing happened and no one was there... still not sure what caused that noise though.

January 3, 2012

Today Jason had a day off and I went to work. Jason actually drove down and met me for lunch on his day off! I can't explain how much better my day was just knowing I'd get to see him earlier than normal. I actually brought my lunch because I didn't know he could come see me. I took my lunch and ate with him at Panera. We had a really good lunch date and laughed a lot. Things like that mean so much to me.

When I got home from work Jason was (suprise!!!) working on one of his projects! He was sitting in the recliner and doing something on his computer. Normally when I join him on the couch, I'll put my arm under his back and cuddle up to him. One thing I've learned is that when Jason needs a project, he also needs his space. We've both gotten pretty good about understanding when the other one needs space or a hug. I got the feeling this was one of those times when he might need some space, so I just sat down next to him and turned the tv on. To my surprise, Jason must have known it was one of those moments I wanted a hug... he lifted up his arm and gestured for me to cuddle up to him! I know that might seem like a small thing to most people, but it was HUGE for me! I knew it would be very hard for Jason to work on his computer project with only one hand, but he still wanted to be with me more. Jason is so wonderful at letting me know he loves me.

Later that night, I said out loud "crap... I forgot to put the clothes in the dryer!" As I moved to get up from the computer, Jason told me to sit down and that he would do it. Being me, I argued and said I could get them. I didn't want him thinking I had said that as a hint for him to do it for me... I'd of just asked him if I had wanted that. His response was awesome, "It's called being married, get used to it!" He then walked over to the dryer and began folding clothes while singing the theme song to the Munsters. Jason has been watching a lot of the Adams Family and the Munsters lately. We both began singing together and laughing. Once Jason finished the laundry he found some cat nip for the cats. He picked up the bag of catnip and began calling for the cats. Once they saw what he had, he began circling the couch to torture them, screaming "yeah!!! yeah!!!" He then threw the bag up the stairs. Immediately both cats took off really quickly up the stairs! It sounded like horses were galloping up the steps instead of two small cats. Jason then sat down to watch Frasier episode 4.21 where Niles encounters Hot'N'Foamy... I don't think I've ever laughed so hard! Jason and I couldn't stop laughing about it. I think I will be watching that episode whenever I need a really really good laugh.

January 4, 2012

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night to Jason sweetly putting his arm around me. Even little things like that mean a lot to me. The next morning I got a text that said "Good morning sweet love." I think people underestimate how important little things like that are.

When I got home from work, Jason and I decided to go get beer bottles for Jason's first batch of homemade beer. When driving back home, Jason reached over and held my hand while driving a stick sift. I know how hard it is to drive a stick sift...it was so hard for me that someone called the cops to make sure we were okay... gee! Anyway, I know how many things you have to do and how hard it is to do them all at once when driving. It meant a lot to me that he made sure to take a moment to show me he cared. I truly am the luckiest person in the world... not a lot of people are as thoughtful as Jason.

Later that night, I tried to run a scan on our computer and it was taking forever. I finally decided to set the computer on the coffee table and sit on the floor while I waited for it to finish. Getting frustrated, I said "Gee! This is taking forever!! This scan won't hurry up!" Jason came over to take a look and very sweetly said "Click start, love." Hahaha! I clicked start and it took two seconds to scan! After we both laughed hysterically, Jason sat down behind me, put his arms around me, gave me the biggest hug and kissed me. Even when I do something that isn't so bright, I love that Jason shows me he still loves me.  It's so wonderful to know I don't have to be perfect around him.

January 5, 2012

Jason and I decided to cook a meal out of my new Harry Potter Cookbook. We picked beef and dumplings. We were worried about the chicken broth with beef so we just made it beef broth. One of my favorite things to do with Jason is cook. He loves to experiment with food and make up weird recipes. I'm one of those people who sticks to recipes and cooks only what is written down. He doesn't do that at all. I'm actually thankful he doesn't cook by the book... otherwise I would never have been introduced to chocolate crescent rolls, honey cinnamon rolls, rice krispy treat snowmen, etc. I love his adventurism, even with small things. Like an ordinary evening, Jason and I worked together to cook dinner. I know this is probably a weird thing to add in my list of things I love about Jason, but it truly is one of my favorite things. I love that he and I cook dinner together. Most people usually have one person who does the cooking for the evening. I love that we both do it. It always makes me smile to think back on all the dinners we made together while singing the theme song to gummy bears, the Adams Family, the Office, or the Flintstones.

As the evening wore on, I began to get anxious. I'm still not sure why I was so anxious. Well, Jason could tell I wasn't my normal self so he walked over and gave me a big hug. As I pulled away from the hug and looked at his face an urge to laugh came over me. Jason always knows how to make things better. He began making funny faces and weird noises at me. It took only a few seconds and I began laughing and my anxiety began melting away. I'm so thankful for all he does! No one can make me laugh like him. Now that I wasn't so uneasy, I was able to sit down with Jason and watch a British man's documentary on the south. Weird show, but fun with Jason around.

January 6, 2012

Friday! Jason and I always have our date night on Friday. It always makes my work day easier to know I get to have a date with Jason later. He kept sending me really sweet texts that day about how wonderful and beautiful he thinks I am. It's really hard to have a bad day with someone sending you such amazing texts like that.

Well, come dinner time I was ready for our date. We got ready and drove to Newnan for Texas Road House! They have the best steak! The lady there gave us one of those light-up buzzing things that tell you when your table is ready. She said it would be a couple minutes wait. As we were able to walk away from the hostess, Jason's light-up buzzy thing came to life. He had the best look on his face... "That was quick!" He turned around and asked if the table was ready because it just lit up. She said no, that it lit up just to show it was working. Jason and I sat down to wait. We sat across from two British people... it was awesome! We didn't get to hear from them long before we were ready to sit down. Jason and I have a game at Texas Road House. Each time a waitress shows us to our table they as the same thing "How are you tonight? Is this your first time here?" Whoever trains them needs to give them more lines... It has never failed. We keep waiting for the day when one of them won't ask us that... but they always do. We then sat down to a lovely dinner! I wanted to write what it was about dinner that made is so good, but I'm not sure I can. It's moments like this that I look back on and know Jason loves me... but it's hard to explain how I know that. Maybe it's the ease with which we have conversations. Maybe it's the fun games we play at dinner (like throwing paper at each other until it inevitably goes to someone else's table and embarrasses me). Or maybe it's just the many times Jason says "I love you" during dinner. Whatever happens during our date night dinners... it leaves me with a feeling of being loved and safe. There is no one else I'd rather sit down to dinner with than Jason. We could sit in silence together and I'd still love every minute of it.

January 7, 2012

I love the weekends when Jason and I can sleep in. It's such a great way to start the day off. After sleeping in waaaay too late, Jason and I made breakfast together... honey cinnamon crescent rolls! Mmmm! So good! After breakfast (or brunch considering the time) Jason gave me a massage... God bless him! I really do have the best husband in the whole world!!

After we spent the whole morning relaxing together, we then left to celebrate Jordan Teal's birthday. During the drive up, we listened to the radio and sang weirdly to the different horrible Lady Gaga or Katie Perry crap that was on the radio. Jason and I never sing normally during a road trip, no matter how small. I usually sing extremely deeply when it's a bad song to make it more entertaining. Jason sings super loudly and does his "crazy man" voice and mocks the bad singers ("Hold your BREATH!!!) Gotta love him

We then went to Chilis and ate with his side of the family. I love them all! They are so much fun to be around. I think what I like best about them is that they just say exactly what they think. You never have to wonder where you stand with them. I love that. I'd much rather someone just say what's on their mind then always wonder. We have the best family... on both sides!

On the way back to their house, Jason put his arm around me and kissed me on my forehead. I love that. I love that we can both be affectionate without it being weird in front of family members. I'm so lucky!