sweet 16

I love that you strive to keep the parenting load fairly balanced.

13, 14 and 15

You watched the kids for me today so I could get my hair done and have a pedicure with a friend.  When I came home you were making chocolate dipped strawberries.  With my favorite chocolate, not yours.

11 and 12

I love that you worry about trying to make my birthday special for me.
I love that you wouldn't dream of keeping the kids inside on this beautiful day.

7, 8, 9 and 10

I love that you are very careful to never criticize my cooking even when I make something that isn't your favorite.
I love that you get the songs from the kids tv shows stuck in your head, too.
I love your caramelly eyes.
And speaking of caramel, I love that you can actually make caramel!

5 and 6

I love that you are passionate about your work.
I love that you work hard.
I love that you are honest and fair when you could get away with not being either.

#4

I love that you and I share a love of the best band ever.

1, 2 and 3...

I love that you put real effort into being fair to me.
I love that you care so much about being a good father.
I love that you can be playful and light-hearted in the face of weighty troubles.

To start with...

As I sit here to begin this list I am flooded with ways to answer the central question posed -- what I love about my dear husband.  It would be all too easy to turn this into a long, cheesy list worthy of a bad Halmark card.

In an effort to avoid that I have set the following rules for myself:
  I will stick to what is central to our lives and my thoughts currently.
  I will, as much as possible, avoid over-used clichés.

Here we go!