Today is my husband’s birthday! I’ve celebrated over 20 of them by his side, and I think it is about time to publicly declare why he is my favorite person on the planet.
Let’s do this Top 10 style:
10. He cleans up after himself.
Yes, the man is tidy. God knew this woman had enough OCD to deal with in her brain than to land her with a man who couldn’t clean up his socks off the floor. Somehow, I have still managed to flip out on him several times for our messy house though, even when his contribution was probably less than 1%. I’m sorry, babe.
9. He doesn’t complain about my mess.
Ha! Yes, here is a theme folks. I know it may sound impossible, but Scott Borchers both cleans up after himself and doesn’t mind being married to a woman who leaves a trail of busy behind her all day long before turning around and realizing she can’t live like that. He might mind, but he has never mentioned it. It’s a dream combination and I get to live in that miracle!
8. He rests free.
This was a struggle for me to deal with for many years (we’ve been married 22 ½), because I was just so gosh darn jealous that he could chillax when I was feeling the drive to be more, do more, accomplish more, more, more! But I’ve learned to sit and watch dumb videos on the couch with Cheez-it’s and almost not feel guilty. Thanks, honey. No seriously, thank you.
7. He works like a horse.
The other side of the number 6 resting coin. This is the very first thing my dad said about Scott when I was 15, “I really like that Scott, he’s a hard worker. You should go out on a date with him.” As they used to say, father knows best! Scott may know how to rest when he gets home, but you will never find a harder working engineer on any project… ever.
6. He hungers for knowledge.
Scott will research your socks off. He is never afraid to dive into new projects and problems because he is confident in his ability to study, research, learn, deepen his understanding, and widen his perspectives. Bonus points this year, because he is also cultivating his literary side and listening to some of my favorites on Audible… light reading like 60 hours of Anna Karenina. Hello, I love this man!
5. He defends his position.
After all the research, careful consideration, and listening to multiple perspectives, when Scott reaches a conclusion, he isn’t wishy washy about what he has decided on a topic. This has been a stable shelter for me multiple times in the stormy winds of a culture in constant contradiction. I appreciate his ability to stand firm on well reasoned and researched truth. Let the whirlwind swirl, I’m holding this guy’s hand.
4. He keeps cool.
Not that he has never blown his top, but his ability to stay cool under pressure is a marvel to behold. High stress situations, angry boss people, hysterical wife (yeah, that’s me), rambunctious and rowdy kids, or just your everyday jerk on the highway (not him, the other guy) - through many provoking situations, Scott can keep an even keel. His anger is a slow build and then a simmering steam vent back down to calm. I am so thankful to live in a home with a man who prioritizes peace.
3. He delights to provide.
My kids and I have developed the vision of a generous God because we have a man in the house who says yes to slushies after soccer (every time), return trips to find lost treasures, and many meals out to take pressure off mom having to make another dinner after long days. He is sometimes uncomfortably extravagant for this penny pincher, but he always prioritizes the tithe and giving to our community, never overlooking who is the Source of blessing. I continue to grow in my vision of God’s goodness because of Scott’s giving nature. I also grow in my tech that he buys me for Christmas.
2. He cultivates a house of worship.
Every Sunday morning Scott wakes up first and after running to get donuts and coffee for everyone, sits down at the piano to worship. The rest of us wake up with thanksgiving and praise opening the gates of the week right into God’s goodness. It is especially sweet in these years of raising teenagers to see my young people pull up a chair and join him. Never underestimate the example of man loving Jesus.
1. He anchors my life.
On a good day, I get to relax with him and enjoy the moment. On tough days, he is willing to make space for my exhaustion with a hug, listening ear, and a foot rub. When he comes home battered from a day of disappointment, he won’t shut me out, but lets me in on the struggle. His presence is my anchor of reality and love.
I am ridiculously blessed by my husband… obviously. But that doesn’t mean I always feel that way. I don’t always see all these incredible ways he influences my life. Some days (I’m happy to say less than before), I want to complain, argue, maybe even scream a little about some very particular ways he falls short of my expectations and ideals. (See Scott nod his head in agreement as he reads). So I beg you, please don’t read this post and think I’m over here congratulating my wedded bliss compared to another’s woes. Scott and I have had real fights and plenty of marital struggles, but pausing to count to ten all the ways your spouse is awesome might surprise you. It might turn your perspective inside out in the best way. Scott and I both have plenty of faults, but after 22 years of choosing love over all the mess we can make, this man remains my favorite.
I love you, babe. Happy Birthday!
Well I didnt expect to cry on my birthday but I appreciate your loving words. You have a gift with words and I feel pretty special that you used those words to say all those nice things about me. Your my favorite too and I count my blessings that I get to do life with you. Love, love, love you. GUTM
This is my second time reading this. 1) Happy Birthday Scott! Lol! 2) Hannah, because this is just simply beautiful. Much like our conversation about he who finds a wife and the way I admire your home, this also ministers to me by example. A genuine expression of cherished love.