I think we figured up that I was in a car 16 hours last week. Considering I reach the "crazy place" in my head at the 3 hour point in a car, it is a small miracle I'm still here with everyone. I tell you this useless fact to try to make myself feel better about getting NOTHING for Ryan yesterday for Father's Day. I mean zilch. No card, no trinket, no toy, no tool...nothing. I think the "Happy Father's Day" comment came while I was drying my hair and he was shaving getting ready for church. Ahhh.... real life these days.
Anyway, the car trivia does not make me feel any better, so, in lieu of a card and well thought-out, perfect gifts that were ordered in time to account for shipping, I am writing an entire will-make-him-blush, no shame, super braggy blog post about my man. (and will frantically drag all three kids to the store to try to get him one tangible thing for his birthday tomorrow!) Winning over here, folks. Winning.
I loved Ryan Little long before he loved me. That is a long story for another day that borders on creepy stalker sometimes, but the point is that He has always been the only person on earth I wanted to be with. It is pretty special for your first and only crush to end up being your husband and father of your babies. Anyway, here are some traits that attracted me to him from the beginning: (quick, bullet-point blog style because the Thomas movie the kids are watching is only 30 minutes!)
Athletic - I mean, super! He was totally one of the top players in every sport in High School. A top scorer, team captain, a top defender, best average of some stat in baseball (I'm totally incompetent in baseball), and a go-to player when you needed to score. I think one of the reasons I love volleyball so much is because I'm better at it than he is. It is the only sport out there, but at least there is one. Despite that, he can carry his weight even in that sport from his sheer athleticism.
Musical - yep, did you know Ryan Little plays the trumpet? He would say he doesn't anymore, but knowing my husband, he could dig it out, spit in it a little bit, and go to town in one afternoon. And he can sing! He sings all the time. Hey - the Bible says to, right? I wish I could sing, I can hold a tune and know when I'm off tune, but not well enough to sing in front of others, so I'm happy our kids hear music coming from some one or device, everyday.
Handsome - Super hot stuff. He has beautiful blue eyes that I had hoped one of our children would get but have you seen the size of my eyes ?!? They really had no chance. A compromise of hazel will have to do for our little trio. I love his eyes! And I love his ridiculously straight, white, never-had-a-cavity teeth that fill his smile. When he smiles big, his eyes squint shut and I love it!
Smart - sickening smart. He was Salutatorian in his class and took all of the tough, advanced classes. In college we took one class together for which he would read over the "key points" the night before a test, and of course ace it the next day. I still had not learned how to study correctly so I would stress and study for days to barely squeak out an A or B. He majored in Mathematics...who does that!? He took Math classes that had little to no numbers in it and did well at it. Mind Boggling.
At some point, I snagged him and we got married the year I graduated college. Bliss! But a funny thing happens when you marry someone and see them 24/7....you learn new things about that person! So here are some things I learned about Ryan after 9 years of living with Studly.
Orderly- Ryan has a neat streak in him. Admittedly, it has gotten lost under the diapers and toys that come with children, but even now, he will snap and go on a cleaning rampage and get things clean, livable and non-toxic again. I have learned to stand back, help only when I won't get in the way, and make a mental note to not let it get to that point again (which I obviously fail at).
Analytical - we joke that Ryan missed his calling as a lawyer. We had to work through some things when first married because anytime we entered into a "discussion" I felt like I was up against the leading prosecutor. Ryan can think through the next steps easily (which is why he destroys me playing the card game, Rook). He is black and white - can make decisions based on what makes sense, not what emotion says to do.
Calm - I was thinking recently that Ryan has never raised his voice at me. Really and truly - never! We have had unbelievably stressful, tense moments and he always kept his cool. There is one situation in college where he got angry at me and there is one situation that involved a Christmas Tree where he got noticeably very frustrated with me, but has never yelled, never belittled, and never lost control.
Incredible Work Ethic - Friends, I can not tell you how hard Ryan works. You would not know if someone didn't tell you. He won't, so I will! :) Ryan has worked so hard at his company. Each christmas party or family day we go to, I have numerous people come up and tell me what a great man he is. He is well respected and given looooooads of responsibility because he has proven he can handle it. He made huge, huge steps for his company when we were in Ohio. He paved the way for hopefully years of relationships, visibility and of course bookoos of money for both parties. In fact, did you know he still basically works for the company in Ohio? They kept him contracted even though we moved back here. That says alot to me! So he works for his original company here and is contracted full time for Ohio. So, for the non-math majors out there, that is two jobs, two laptops, two "bosses" asking things of you, two, two, two. He can go to work and deal with high stress, come home and walk into a WARZONE at dinner time, somehow get through dinner and Caden taking an hour to chew, play with our kids and get them down to bed all before he has a chance to change out of his work clothes. Then, because he works on international projects in different time zones, he has to pull out the laptop and get a report out before the work day begins in Europe. I know I am exhausted at night not leaving my house or out of my pajamas...I
know he is whooped too. His work ethic has provided so much for us. We are in a home God blessed us with that we pray we can raise our children in.
Team Player - I couldn't think of a better word for this. I'm starting to panic because Thomas the Train is almost over....Anyway, Ryan is the ultimate parent partner. I have thought in my head sometimes that God gave us twins not because I could handle it, because Ryan was wired to help and assist and support! With two babies, he had to get up every feeding too. No sleeping through the night so he could go in to work somewhat coherent...he was up changing, burping and soothing a baby too! In fact, for a bout a week after Easton was born, I finally told him to go to bed, there was nothing he could do since there was just one baby! He was so used to getting up and being there for every feeding. Oh, and have I mentioned I was on bedrest with both of my pregnancies? Unless you have been on bedrest or helped someone on bedrest you have NO idea. You just don't. I admittedly didn't until I experienced it myself. I thought you got to lay on the couch and watch Price is Right all day. I won't even go into the craziness it brings on the mom, the point today is about the dad: Ryan. He would work, come home, gently scold me for doing something off the couch, cook our dinner, clean, keep me company, bring me a chocolate milk, basically do everything at home and work! He even cut my hair for me during the twins pregnancy when I was on strict bedrest. He did 99% of our grocery shopping the entire year we were in Ohio. I can count on my hands the number of times I went to the store in Ohio. Yes, this is all true, people! And he has done a majority of the shopping back here in NC too! During bedrest with Easton, he began bathing the twins for us. This has continued even now - he does bath time with our children and I couldn't be more thankful for the break.
Man of God - I have seen Ryan grow so much in his relationship with God during the 14 years we have been together. He loves Jesus....more than He loves me and that is how I want it! As I said before, he is a deep thinker and can really help discern a thought or verse. I love hearing him teach in our class at church. I love hearing him teach our children to love Jesus and to recognize Him in the little things around us. I know he prays for me and wants me to grow closer to Jesus. That is something I do not take for granted, but most of the time act as though I do. He has taught our children how to pray by being faithful to pray for them and in front of them every night.
All in all, I love you Ryan Yates. You are quite the catch and I'm so glad your mine. Happy Father's Day - you were made to parent and you parent well. Happy Birthday tomorrow! I'm so thankful you were born and that God has protected you and allowed you your 34 (ouch!) years so far. I pray for maaaaany more (and preferably, more than me). I know you wouldn't change the pace and volume of our life stage right now, but one day, our house will be empty and quiet and I will be able to drive my non-minivan vehicle to the store to get you some spoils you deserve for your two special days (that are so stressfully close together! geez!). :)
Much Love and Respect,
Kc
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