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!)
.
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.
Organize 365 says
Happy Birthday Dave!
Great post Andrea. It is so true we can not be the best we can be without the support of our husbands.
Have a great Culver’s!
🙂
Lisa
Casey says
Happy Birthday, Dave! May all your birthday wishes come true.
Kimberley says
Happy Birthday Dave!!! Hooe you guys have a great b-day dinner at Culvers!!! My son and I love it!
Jenny says
Happy Birthday Dave!
bonnie Cummings says
Happy Birthday to a great guy!!! Thanks for being such a thoughtful, helpful, and loving husband, and also a super dad to Nora. You are a great role model for other husbands out there. May our good Lord bless you with many more years.
krisna says
Happy Birthday Dave! Andrea’s so lucky to have you…and you as well, are lucky to have your family. 🙂
Chalyse Meiklejohn says
My husband is also the most laid back, patient, non-complaining person. Total OPPOSITE of me!
Happy birthday Dave!
Linda says
Happy Birthday! Thank you for being such a supportive and loving husband and great father. Those are the best gifts you can give your family. Having the love of a good wife is a true blessing for you! Also, thanks for making it possible for all of us to have this great blog to read. Let the celebration begin!!
Amy O says
Happy birthday, Dave! You are a great guy. Thanks for helping Andrea so much so we readers can enjoy a great blog!
Gwen says
Dave, THANK YOU for making it possible for Andrea to write her blog. It’s the first website I pull up everyday, Hope you have a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 🙂
Crystal H says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE! Thank you for giving Andrea the time to share soooo much info with all of us to make our lives a little easier and “Simple” and allowing us to take peeks into your life as well. I hope you have a fantastic day!
Lori McCleskey says
Sweet post for a sweet husband! Happy birthday Dave!
Pamela says
Happy Birthday, Dave! You sound like an awesome husband, father, and teacher!!!!!
Kelly says
Happy birthday Dave! You sound a lot like the amazing man I’ve been married to for a quarter of a century. Thank you for teaching our youth, for putting your family first, and for allowing Andrea to share with us. Many blessing!
Debbie says
At first I thought I was reading about my husband except when you started writing about taking Nora duty. Sounds like our husbands have the same personality. Such a great idea of letting him know he is loved and appreciated. You’ve given me a goal to do for my husband’s bday, even though I don’t have a blog. Happy Birthday Dave! Keep up the great work of being a godly husband.
Pat says
Happy birthday Dave!
Amber says
Happy Birthday, Dave! You have a wonderful family, and you are an amazing husband and father to them! Have a wonderful celebration!
Jules says
Such a wonderful tribute – Andrea, did you intentionally create a clutter-free gift for Dave with this post? I cannot think of a better gift! Have a wonderful birthday weekend, Dave, and I hope all of you enjoy the Culvers 🙂
Andrea says
well, I guess the birthday gift wasn’t intentionally clutter-free — but we really don’t do gifts for each other at this point either. Dave LOVES Culver’s so it’s probably the best gift he could get in his opinion 🙂
Karin Quinn says
Happy Birthday Dave!! You sound like a terrific husband and father!! Also, props to you for preparing the next generation. We love our teachers!! Have a very Happy Birthday!!
Babs says
Happy Happy Birthday, Dave. I hope you give yourself a birthday present of a little free time over the weekend….to sleep, to wander about alone, read a book…whatever. Reflect, remember and absorb how good life is. What you do matters…and your efforts let the blog readers enjoy it. Thanks for all you do!..
CJ says
Happy Birthday Dave!!! Great photos of you and your family (love the top photo)! I hope you and your family have a wonderful day!
Sheila says
Happy birthday Dave! Our 16 year old son is interested in being a high school teacher and basketball coach just like you! He really admires his coach and teacher who is also named Dave! He goes to a small Christian school and would like to work in a similar school one day or maybe even his current school. Any advice for him? What path did you take in college etc?
Andrea says
Thanks Shelia, Dave has a Bachelors and Masters of Education… he LOVES teaching and also teaches/coaches at a smaller local Christian school.
Julie says
Happy Birthday Dave! Enjoy your Special Day!
I am lucky as I have a “Dave” as well. I couldn’t do half the thing I do without the support of my husband.
Jill says
What a great tribute Andrea. I think birthdays are the perfect time to let the sappy out 🙂 Happy birthday Dave!!
Diana from SC says
Happy Birthday, Dave. Have a great day with your family. I truly enjoy the stories and pictures on the blog.
Miranda says
Happy Birthday Dave! I’m 32 today so I’m celebrating with you guys 🙂 Enjoy!
Andrea says
Yay — happy birthday Miranda! Today is actually Dave’s Dad’s birthday too — so we have LOTS of birthday celebrations going on this weekend 🙂
Shelly says
What a sweet post! With so much negative in the world today and constant examples of overbearing women making their husbands fill lower than dirt and husbands being flirtatious with women it’s very refreshing to read your post today. Happy Birthday Dave! Thanks for being such a supportive husband and daddy so that we all can enjoy this blog as well. 🙂
Susan says
Happy Birthday Dave! Enjoy your day and your beautiful family! I love reading Andrea’s blogs! So thank you for making time for her to make it possible to write these!
Shelby says
Happy Birthday Dave!
Abbie says
Happy Birthday, Dave!
jen says
Happy Birthday Dave!
Jessica says
Happy Birthday Dave!!! Such a sweet and cute family.
P.S.
we need a guest post from the man behind the scenes!!
Laura says
I normally don’t point out typos, but I just *had* to laugh when I saw that your only typo (at least, that I could see) was the word “typos”!
This was SUCH a sweet post and I’m sure your husband will *love* it! Happy birthday, Dave!
Andrea says
haha — I had spelled it wrong PURPOSELY thinking that might be funny… but I’m wondering if others will just think it’s an accidental typo. So I just changed it 🙂
Thanks!
Laura says
Funny! 🙂
Melissa Dehne says
Surprises are so fun! I’m sure he appreciates it! Happy Birthday to your hubby!
Deni says
Happy Birthday, Dave! You are amazing!!!
Lisa McCall Borders says
Happy Wonderful Birthday, Dave! You are the wind beneath her wings! 🙂
Ann says
Happy Birthday Dave, I’m sure Andrea and Nora will make it a great one 🙂
BarbaraL. says
Happy Birthday Dave! Sounds like your life is just filling up with blessings……may they continue for many years to come. Good health and good times. (and thank you for helping so Andrea can write her blog..we love it!)
Charlene Uchtman says
Happy Birthday Dave! Your wife is a little crazy (just teasing!) so I have begun to suspect that she had one of those laid back type husbands in the background. I admire both of you. Hope you get your Culvers!
Leanne says
what a great tribute…
I have one of those great guys, too…
and I feel a bit more inspired to let him know it!