Thankful for Gregg

Day 2 -- I'm thankful for my Husband

I am thankful I have the most amazingly wonderful husband on earth. I seriously mean that and I don't think I say that enough to Gregg. These past few months, with Gregg being out of work, has been tough, more on him than on me. But I'm so thankful I have been granted extra time with him. Our usual schedules are: me getting up before Gregg, kissing him while he sleeps, me working. Gregg getting up and going to work. Me coming home. Me going to bed. Gregg coming home and kissing me while I sleep. We only really saw each other on Sundays.

In the past 3 months I have spent more time with my husband, than I've probably spent in the past 7 years combined. It has been wonderful. Fully of randomness, grocery store runs, yard work, watching old movies, cooking dinner together, and falling asleep on the couch. I will remember this time and be grateful for it, because I know it won't last and don't want it to last if it means Gregg is out of work.

I knew I wanted to spend my life with Gregg shortly after we started dating, although I'll never admit that to him (don't want his head to get too big!) On our first date, he opened doors (still does), and asked permission to hold my hand and finally, at the end of the 3 hour date, to kiss me. <that was the sound of my heart skipping a beat.> He is kind and gentle and affectionate. To this day, we always hold hands. Even while we are watching TV in our house, alone. Even in the grocery store -- seriously. If we are having dinner out with friends and he is sitting next to me, he'll put his hand on my thigh. Not in a "I want to go home and have sex" kind of way, but in a "I'm here" reassuring kind of way.

Gregg is an old-fashioned sort. I truly think he was born in the wrong decade, as he seems more at-ease in the 40s or 50s. He likes to get dressed up to go out. He thinks its a crime not to tuck in your shirt and wear a belt. He shines his own shoes and actually has a whole caddy of materials for shoe-shining, passed down from his father. He owns a tux, with a real, silk bow tie that I have to tie each time we go out in formal wear. He only dances to "old standards" ie: Louie Prima, Sarah Vaughn, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett. He still calls his parents friends (who are in their 70s) Mr. and Mrs. He prefers to send hand-written notes than emails.

Gregg loves my nieces and gets down on the ground to play with them, read to them, talk to them. They love him too, Emma even has Gregg in her nightly prayers (her mom didn't tell her to do this, she just wanted to pray that God keeps him safe.)

Gregg could have left me many-a-time. We are both very strong-willed and butt heads like 2 bulls in a proverbial china shop. We yell at each other -- but we always make up. We never go to bed mad. Gregg has stayed with me through RSD, and countless emergency room visits, hospitalizations, drug therapy changes, and surgeries. He has NEVER missed a doctors appointment with me. EVER. Gregg stayed with me when we found out I have the reproductive ability of a 6 year old boy. Gregg stayed with me when I gained 60 lbs, and married me at my heaviest weight -- thinking and saying and believing I was the most beautiful woman in the world.

My husband is hands-down fantastic. I don't know what I did in a past life to deserve him, but I'm oh-so-grateful to have him. I love him to pieces, more than I ever thought possible. I actually love him more every day, because each day I learn something new about him that makes me love him more. I am so thankful for my husband. I love you Gregg!