day nine- person that has gotten you through the most

I have wonderful parents, siblings and friends who I appreciate and love. Each of them has helped me in important ways and I have been blessed by their love, support and understanding, but there is no doubt that Kelly is the person who has gotten me through the most in my life.

{After church on a Sunday in March 2011}

His influence improved my grades and earned me dinner at Mulboon's after I beat his GPA.
At Mulboon's, he forced me to try shrimp and I liked it!
He endured pencils and books being thrown at him while helping me pass my math class and graduate from BYU.
He paid off my student loans.
He has driven thousands of miles, many of them through the night, so I could be with my family.
When he couldn't drive me, he bought my plane ticket.
He held my hand, rubbed my feet and fed me ice through the birth of our five children.
He led me to the finish line of a marathon, three times.
He has listened to more ranting and venting and screaming than anyone.
He has kept his cool when the ranting was directed at him.
He has taken off work so I could indulge my own interests.
He has never complained about the space I take over for crafting or the supplies I fill that space with.
More than once, he has made phone calls, picked up prescriptions and watched kids because I was suffering from extreme tooth pain. (I honestly believe it to be worse than labor.)
He wrapped me in his arms when my dad passed away and just like he has done for 17 years...

{photo by Jill, at Ethan's birth, August 11, 2004}

he offered me comfort and protection; he was my strength when I was weak; he loved me completely and unconditionally.

Kelly has gotten me through school, through childbirth, through pain, through loss, through sorrow and day by day he gets me through life. Thank you Kelly. You are under-appreciated in word, but you are always in my heart! (wink and smile.)