I have a surprise post for Dave today!
You see, tomorrow is Dave’s 32nd birthday (he’s much older than me, by the way), and since I don’t usually talk a ton about Dave here on the blog, I thought it might be the perfect timing for a little post about the man I’ve loved for almost a decade.
Yes, a decade!
I first met Dave over 10 years ago. However, we didn’t officially start dating for several months — only because it took shy senior Dave THAT long to finally ask outgoing freshman me on a date.
I honestly couldn’t have dropped more hints or flirted any more… but Dave will be the first to tell you he’s not super perceptive with these matters!
I’m not a super sappy or overly emotional person. AT. ALL. So while I don’t think you’ve ever heard me complain about Dave; chances are, you’ve also never heard me gush on and on about him… until today.
Since I’m the stay-at-home parent, the sacrifices I make for Dave to be a teacher and coach might be a bit more obvious. However, what most people don’t realize is that he also makes a TON of sacrifices so I can do what I do (a.k.a. there would be no blog without Dave.)
He often wakes up at 5:00am to grade papers and get to school super early so he can do a bunch of planning before school. That way, he can get home earlier each afternoon and take over “Nora duty” so I can work.
He even wakes up early on the weekends so he can grade before the rest of us wake up. And after Nora goes to bed, he’s busy doing school work all night long.
He is amazing at helping out with household chores — he makes the bed, washes dishes, and folds laundry without even being asked. And although he might not always WANT to do some of the things I request, he almost never puts up a stink if I ask him to clean a bathroom, vacuum, or do any other random task. I should probably thank my in-laws for this!
Dave is the type of guy who, when asked if he will put Nora to bed that night, just says “sure” — and only later do I find out there was a really important game or the final episode of Survivor on TV that he would have liked to watch (we don’t have DVR, so he can’t just watch it later).
I usually feel bad when this happens, but at the same time, I also realize how lucky I am to have a husband who puts family first, no matter what.
In the 10 years I’ve known Dave, I’ve seen him get really mad maybe 3 times — one of which was when someone flipped ME off while I was minding my own business in a traffic jam. Seriously folks, don’t flip me off when Dave is around!
He is so even-keeled, go-with-the-flow, and super laid back.
He rarely ever makes assumptions before hearing both sides of the story and getting all the facts. He’s slow to speak, quick to listen, and as my Grandma would say, “He has the patience of Job” (a Biblical character who was always very patient, even in difficult situations).
Aside from a few naughty students, everyone who knows Dave likes him… and for good reason. He’s just the type of guy who is super easy to like (you know, the type with a dry sense of humor to always lighten the mood.)
I realize a decade isn’t that long in the scheme of a lifetime; but since it’s over 1/3 of my current life (and basically my entire adult life) a decade sure seems like a long time to me… in a good way!
Our marriage is far from perfect — we fight, we annoy each other at times, and we definitely both know how to push each other’s buttons.
BUT every day, I’m reminded how lucky I am to have such a great guy.
Oh, and if you’re wondering why I said this post is a “surprise for Dave”… it’s because Dave proof-reads my posts, and he knows there are always 5 posts to read every weekend. However, since I didn’t want him to read this one ahead of time, I prepared an extra post for him to read last weekend.
So sneaky… I know (and sorry for the potential extra typos in this post!)
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Without Dave, there would be NO way I could run this blog and do everything else I do… so if you have a second, please wish Dave a big Happy Birthday and tell him how much you appreciate the time he gives up so I can share my life and this blog with you.
We’ll officially be celebrating tomorrow night with a couple Bacon Double Cheeseburgers (and maybe some frozen custard) at Culver’s.
Happy Birthday Dave! We love you.
Yarelis says
Happy Birthday Dave!!
Regina says
Happy Birthday Dave!!! thank you for running this blog!!!! we all love it. Wishing you many happy years to come. I also never commented here before, but i though this post was so sweet i had to. There aren’t that many husbands/dads that people wanna brag about !!! Its nice to see posts like there, so thank you guys for all you do here for us!!! Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas 😉 God bless you.
Kathleen says
Happy bday, Dave! I so enjoy your wife’s blog and reading about your beautiful family. I respect you for helping to make it all happen–and for being, quite clearly, a very decent man. God bless you!
Sandy says
Happy Birthday Dave!
I am married to a Dave, too, with qualities much like your Dave’s. I am thankful for our godly men. What a better gift for Nora (and you) than a man who loves and cherishes his family.
Alicia says
Happy birthday Dave! I never comment, but thought this post was so sweet it made me tear up so I had to this time! Love the blog, and both of you for all you do!
Debbie says
Happy Birthday!!! I love this blog!!! I read it everyday and if I miss it I love getting to read a few post at a time to catch up!
JoDi says
That was a very sweet surprise, and he definitely deserves all the love in this post! You two are the cutest couple. I always love it when you post pictures from when you were dating because you two look so sweet together.
Thanks to both of you for being who you are and sharing it here with us! All the best to both of you in the years ahead!
Lee Cockrum says
Happy birthday Dave!! Hope you have a great day. Thanks for all your help that allows Andrea to share your family and all her tips with us out here in blog land!
natalie says
Happy Birthday Dave! We are so grateful for all the help and support you give Andrea, so we can enjoy this wonderful blog and receive great advice, cute pictures of Nora and so much inspiration!!!
Blessings to you and your wonderful family!
Noreen says
Happy birthday, Dave! Such a special post… You sound and look like a great guy! I pray everyday that my little granddaughter grow up and marry someone just like you! Such a sweet family you have. 🙂
Janice says
Happy Birthday to a very blessed man!
Ligia says
Happy Birthday, Dave! best wishes all the way from Romania 🙂
Corinne says
Dave, have a fantastic birthday! You are obviously very loved- what a special thing. Enjoy your day!
Kristy Farrow says
Dave, hope you have a wonderful birthday! You sound like a great guy and there are very few of them in the world. I just hope my daughters find someone like you and appreciate it.
Nora's PaPa says
Happy Birthday Dave! I am very happy and grateful for God bringing the two of you together. I am very proud of both of you, (and of Nora). Thanks Andrea for this post. I have never commented on your blog before, but had to this time. Dave’s Dad and Nora’s PaPa
Rachel R. says
Happy Happy BIrthday Dave!!!!! Hope Culver’s is Great!!
Kellie says
Happy Birthday, Dave! Seriously, life would be so much harder without you men in our lives! Thanks for loving your family so sacrificially so that I can share in Andrea’s blog.
Charmaine says
Best Wishes on your birthday Dave and thank you for sharing Andrea and Nora with us.
Faith Lohr says
A very happy birthday to you Dave!! You have a beautiful family! Thank you for helping to make this site possible. I truly enjoy reading Andrea’s posts.
Martha Lawson says
Happy, happy birthday Dave!! I hope you have a great day.
Debby says
Happy Birthday Dave. You are so blessed and I am positive that you already knew that.
Jenny C. says
Dave, God bless you with an awesome birthday! I can tell Andrea loves you very much 🙂