October 3, 2001 I met Stephen Andrew for the very first time. {You can read the story of how we met here.}

Ten things I’m in love with about my man:

1. He’s mine. I’m stuck with him. That’s the best feeling in the world! I hated the dating roller coaster we rode for nearly 5 years when I never knew if we would have each other for keeps or not.
2. His love for me is exclusive and unconditional. He loves me even when I hurt him, even when  I irritate him. He loves me when I’m lovely and when I’m unlovely. I’m his only love. No one else has a claim on his heart.
3. He understands me. I think this is the trait I value most–next to his love. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to share my heart with someone who either refuses to see things from my perspective or can’t see things from any perspective other than their own. I don’t need {or want} Stephen to agree with me all the time. But I do need him to understand my heart all the time.
4. He’s a learner. Inquisitive. A student. A reader. Willing to expand his horizons of knowledge. He pushes me to learn.
5. He can build a computer. From scratch. And he’s built one for me before. It’s awesome being married to a computer tech!
6. He doesn’t like to be center stage–in the spotlight–you get my meaning. He’s more of a backstage kind of dude. God knew I needed a humble man to help teach me the beauty of humility.
7. He’s deliberate. Thoughtful consideration goes into his words, his choices. If he’s not sure what to say, he’s silent, not wishing to fill the void with meaningless chatter.
8. He’s quick to admit when he’s wrong. He asks forgiveness. He’s willing to change, to grow, to become the man God wants him to be.
9. He’s gorgeous. There! I said it! He’s just outright drop-dead handsome. Once, an older lady at our church in Indiana came up to me and told me, “Your husband is the handsomest man I have ever laid eyes on!” That about sums it up.
10. He’s mine. Did I mention that already?

And that’s just a little snapshot of why I’m glad I walked up to that dining hall 10 years ago to meet the mysteriously handsome Stephen Moody.