Troy used his office day Thursday to work on music for worship at church on Sunday and to manage the fantastic lives of the fab five. At the end of the day he showed off by making his delicious Kung Pow Chicken for dinner. He and I then lamented how much we hate sharing such amazing food with kids that pick out all good stuff. We're selfish with our Kung Pow.
Troy's birthday is Saturday. I try to write some flowery, mushy, glowing, moving, deep, and perfect post each year to celebrate Troy on his birthday. I fail every year because it is very difficult to put into words how special Troy is and it is basically impossible to convey how much I love and appreciate him. It won't stop me from trying again this year though.
I've never ever had a friend I can be quite so honest with; he knows the very worst parts of me and challenges me gently when I need to change. He protects me by standing up for me when he sees I am being hurt.
The love Troy has for his kids breaks my heart wide open. I could not have asked for a better father for our children. He prioritizes them and invests his energy (even when he has no energy) in them and makes it his business to validate and encourage each and every one of them.
Just like the rest of us, Troy screws up. I have seen the way he handles his mistakes with all of our kids and his humility and ability to gently and humbly apologize is something that heals. He models things to our boys that are going to matter so much when they are husbands and fathers. I don't think there is anything more lovely than a Dad going to his daughter and saying, "I know I hurt you. Your feelings matter to me and I was wrong. Can you forgive me?" I have seen him do it many times over the years. It never stops being precious to me to see that sort of humility and vulnerability offered to our kids.
Sometimes I have moments where I'm in a place of wondering "why me"? It seems too good to be true. I recognize that his tenderness and desire to honor me is fairly unique. I don't know how I am so blessed to have this good and gentle man to call mine. I just know I am blessed. Thank-you God!
We're all looking forward to a weekend of celebrating our husband, dad, and friend.
The icing for Troy's birthday cake, that I have not yet made, ... Is this ... Yesterday Paige visited his former hometown and his first employer located in his personal Mecca known as "White Bear Lake" - (MN) people from there (read:Troy) tend to amplify the place a bit.
Oh the glory days.
Dear Troy-
Happy Birthday to you babe. You are beyond loved and cherished. My heart swells with gratitude for what God has done in and through you. We're grateful for your steady and kind guidance of this family unit and we feel safe knowing you'll always make decisions for us and with us that are bathed in much prayer and so much love.
Happy, Happy Birthday.
Tara & tribe
Normally I hate overt attempts at garnering tons of comments. I do. But you know what? Today I don't care. I'm breaking my own rules. It is time to call out the lurkers, the regulars, the freaks, and the geeks. Please consider stating where you're reading from and wishing Troy a HBD. Have any advice for him as he enters year 36? Please share and say hello.
(This is really fun for us to read!)
