Thankful Thursday

Today I am especially thankful for Chad.  I hate to be one of those girls that gushes on, as it's not normally my nature, but in this moment, I am out of town for work right now and consumed with thoughts.

I am grateful for the way Chad brings me back to center.  When life starts to spiral, Chad pulls it all back to the central focus that says, "What matters most - and why?" and helps me gain perspective that can otherwise become muddled.

I am grateful for the way Chad supports me standing on my own whenever I want, but is ready by my side the moment I need more.  As a single girl for the past few years, I have learned very well how to be independent - and there are times when it's hard to let go of that independence and count on another person.  He is great to roll with it when I need him....and when I don't.

He is a very focused and hands-on dad.  His kids/our family are his number one priority.  No question.  He makes it very clear in his action and words that family matters most and I appreciate knowing that he is looking out for our family (and by that I mean a combination of him, me, and his kids + the children we hope to have someday) first and foremost.

He is daring and adventurous.  I have tried more random food, activities, etc with him than all the previous years combined.  He has introduced me to camping, skiing, motorcycling, dirt-biking, more new foods I can name, and in general life experiences that were not part of my world before.  While sometimes I resent being stretched, at the end of the day, I am always grateful.  Our time together is rarely "typical" and I love that now instead of always going to my favorite 5 restaurants, we drive down random streets and say, "I've never eaten at that restaurant - let's have lunch there".  Sometimes it's great, sometimes it's terrible, but either way it is an adventure and I love it.

Mostly I simply feel grateful that when he looks at me, he gets the same zing that I get inside.  I can hardly believe that I am so blessed, but fortunately for me, this isn't just a dream - it is real and makes me smile.