My darling husband,

Today is your birthday, and my heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness for your life. Just two year ago we were still distant friends. I had no idea that your heart was turning toward me, and couldn’t have dreamed up the beautiful story that has unfolded in the days and months now past. Every part of my life has been made sweeter because of you.

I love you.

I love how freely you love, how well you care for the people in your life, how careful you are to fulfill your promises. You readily sacrifice time to invest in other people— meeting guys before work to speak into their lives and mentor them through various challenges; giving up your Monday nights to lead a men’s small group; considering how to reserve time in our schedule for hospitality.

I love how much you love laughter, how you take joy in simple things like running, and good black coffee, and a clean kitchen. I love your humor, and will always laugh at your jokes.

I love how well you care for me. I love our morning routine, and drinking coffee out of matching mugs. I love going for walks after a stressful day, and the simple pleasure of holding your hand. I love going to you for counsel and advice, and how well you balance my emotional intensity of highs and lows with steady, gentle answers.

I love making plans with you— some that will happen, others just for the sake of dreaming. I love joking about living to be 120 so we can experience 90 years of marriage together. I love how much joy you find in Excel spreadsheets and functions and crunching numbers, even if I find budget conversations stressful and taxing.

I love your kind brown eyes. I love the gray in your hair. I love the way your beard feels against my cheek. I love how perfectly we fit into each other when we kiss. I love the boyish grin that appears when you’re planning a joke. I love the sound of your laugh, and how it fills up a room. I love your gentle hands, and how much they love touching me. I love that you love sitting close together wherever we are, and how often you put your arm around my shoulders or waist.

Most of all, I love your faith in God, and the way that you always remind me to trust Him more. Your steadfast love of the Gospel is the most attractive thing about you, and makes me fall even more in love with you every single day. My favorite moments throughout any day are the ones where I look across our living room to see you sipping your coffee and pouring over the Bible in the early hours of the day. I love how well you shepherd my heart and lead me toward Jesus.

Joseph Buckley Bradshaw, I am the most of blessed of all women to be your wife. Happiest of birthdays, my love.

xoxo,

Sarah

A few favorite memories from the past two years…

The night we started dating. Our first trip to NYC (one of our favorite memories while dating).
Your proposal.
Engagement photos by our dear friend Rebekah. The first time you came with me to a wedding. We make such a good team.
The happiest day of our lives— I still can’t believe this is real life!! (photos by the amazing Gina & Marcus)In Jamaica for our honeymoon.You love showing off that ring! So thankful you love being married as much as I do!Exploring with friends.
A delicious breakfast in Seattle. Fighting off imaginary foes, saving me (as always).Morning in St Lucia. (more photos from this trip coming soon!)
First time shooting with me! You are so good!!!Happy to be by your side for the rest of my life.