Happy Birthday Caleb!

Today is Caleb's 33rd birthday. In celebration of his life and the wonderful man he is, here are 33 things I love about my man:
1. He can always make me laugh. Caleb is great at getting me to crack a smile, especially when I don't feel like it. He will do whatever it takes to get me laughing, including acting like a complete goofball.
2. He's balanced. He keeps things in perspective like making time for fun and leisure but also taking care of responsibilities.
3. He loves our children so much. Parenting doesn't always come easy for Caleb and I but we are both committed to continually getting better at it because we love our little ones so very much. I can't imagine a better partner to raise children with.
4. He genuinely seeks God with his whole being. Caleb has developed such a love and a need for God's Word. He wants to spend time with God each day so that it will transform him day by day into the man God wants him to be. What an inspiration.
5. Caleb can take it. Caleb is remarkably good at taking feedback. He remains humble when praised and open when criticized. I have learned a lot about accepting feedback from Caleb's example.
6. He smells good. Caleb's things always smell good. I love when I use his car because his smell is there. His clothes always smell really nice- even the ones he's already worn. There's just something about "his" smell that is really clean and fresh and I love it.
7. He's not a mean fighter. Caleb and I don't argue very often, but when we do, he is the nicest fighter I've ever met. He usually says "sorry" first and is a peace maker. He's taught me a lot in this area too because I am not always nice and I can have a nasty sharp tongue.(not pretty)
8. Caleb takes me right where I'm at. I'm not sure why but I think Caleb actually prefers me in bummy clothes, with messy hair and no make-up. For those few of you who have seen me in this lowly state, you understand the mystery.
9. He enjoys the things I enjoy. While Caleb and I do have some different interests, we have many that are the same. We both love the outdoors, camping, and hiking. But he also isn't afraid to enjoy the arts; photography, plays, museums, etc. We really love to spend time together and appreciate the same things simple things in life.
10. He cares about his health. Early in our marriage, we both put on a good amount of weight- we were fat and happy. As romantic as that may be, it wasn't healthy. Since then, Caleb has gotten very serious about his weight and health and runs almost daily. A couple of years ago he even ran a full marathon and finished UNDER 4 hours! He inspires me to be more fit.
11. It is important for him to be on time. This is an area I struggle in but he has shown me the importance and I'm glad he cares about details like that.
12. His integrity. Caleb is big on doing the right thing. I don't have words to adequately express my appreciation for his integrity but it's huge.
13. He handles our budget. I did the budget for the first 6 years and now he does it. He's WAY better at it!
14. He supports me and all my crazy dreams and ambitions. He's the first one to tell me, "Go for it Jaim. I know you can do it."
15. He is a good friend. Not only to me, but to anyone he befriends. He has friends from elementary school that are still some of his best friends.
16. His family is my family. His brothers are my brothers and I'm just one of the gang. I love that.
17. He is good at so many things. Caleb can learn how to do things well really fast. He is a fast learner and great at passing tests. He can learn anything from juggling to getting his EMT certification relatively easily.
18. He loves my family. Caleb genuinely loves my family like his own. His relationship with my parents is incredible and he cares about my family in such an amazing way.
19. Caleb is a dreamer. He's not afraid to dream big and take risks. We've been through some big adventures mostly because he wasn't afraid to chase a dream or two.
20. Caleb values life and wants to live his as well as possible. This is contagious.
21. He didn't give up on me when I was 30 minutes late for our first date. I'll always love that about him.
22. He likes to give people the benefit of the doubt. Often I'm quick to assume ill intentions and Caleb is good at bringing me back to a point of considering others. He's not usually quick to judge.
23. He's level headed. He's not easily swayed by his emotions. This is very useful in a house with 3 girls!
24. He is an amazing husband. Caleb acts like I am the most beautiful woman in the world and has this amazing wealth of kindness and patience towards me. I just don't get it.
25. He has strong work ethic. Along with integrity, taking feedback well and wanting to always be on time, Caleb truly wants to do the best job possible. If he is lacking in any area, he really wants to know about it so he can work harder in that area.
26. He's not pretentious. He's the real deal. What you see is what you get.
27. He likes to get people out of a bad mood. Not sure why but he enjoys this little challenge.
28. He is thoughtful. Caleb puts thought into gifts and things he does. He'll often come home from the grocery store with flowers. Or he'll return from a trip with gifts for the kids. He's always thinking about us and his entire life shows me that.
29. He can have fun anywhere. We've been through some season where we've had very little money but I can't honestly say during any season we haven't had fun. Whether it's playing "Hangman" on paper napkins at our favorite coffee house or hiking the closest mountain, Caleb finds fun.
30. He's a great communicator. At least with me because I always understand where he's coming from and what he means. He's not afraid to open up and be real.
31. He is brave. Caleb has done some things in his lifetime that I never would want to do. He has big faith, which helps but he is not afraid to do some scary stuff, like hang off cliffs to recue someone, chase an armed bad guy in the forest, and that sort of thing.
32. He is tender. As rugged as he can be, he is also that gentle and kind. He's very sweet and not afraid to show emotion- even if it involves tears.
33. He is more than I ever hoped for. I absolutely love being in Caleb's company. He is so much fun but so real and sincere. I cannot possible imagine a better teammate to raise children with and commit my life whole life to. I feel blessed to get to grow old with this man, one birthday at a time.

Happy Birthday Caleb. I'm even more in love with you now than I was on your 23rd birthday. Can you believe we've been celebrating birthdays together for 10 years now? Best years of my life! Enjoy your day!
Jaim