On this, our 36^th Anniversary, a small sampling of the reasons I love you, Janet Johnson…

1. When something is crooked, out of sorts, or otherwise amiss, you call it “whomperjawed.” 
2. Your adorable “young Kristy McNichol look/vibe” took my breath away on September 15, 1984, when I first laid eyes on you, as you sat on my knee at the freshman mixer… and still takes my breath away today! 
3. You occasionally turn the ceiling fan above our bed on at 11 p.m., pull the covers off me by midnight, then graciously dole out a tiny patch of sheet at 2 a.m. to treat my frostbite.
4. You read and take notes from God’s Word every single day. No wonder your Bibles “fill up” and only last a few years. No wonder I see Jesus in you.
5. Our long, deep, intimate conversations, about any and everything, especially on long road trips. 
6. After all these years, you still try out new recipes on me. The recent roast beef sliders au jus were the bomb! I also like how, at restaurants, you’ll stare at the hushpuppies on my plate until I offer you one.
7. Yellow dresses, yellow… (well, you know). My kryptonite!
8. You love your parents, in words but even more so in deeds. Few have honored their parents these past 5 years the way that you have honored yours. (You honored my mom similarly, especially in her final few weeks, doing the most difficult of tasks, and I’ll never forget that.)
9. Your “career ambition” was never about money, titles, or promotions. You’ve always just wanted to be a loving, nurturing, present, wife and mother. That was enough. You are enough. 
10. Your spandex pants once inadvertently drew the attention of onlooking family and our youngest son, even as he was about to propose to his girlfriend. 
11. You once dropped an egg roll at Maryville’s Asian Buffet, then handed it to a nearby Asian woman who doesn’t work there.
12. Our shared nightly “happy place”—snuggling on the couch with a tub of popcorn, watching Survivor, The Crown, or a movie. Also, the way you recently tried to get me to watch the series Tracker because the (oft-shirtless) Josh Hartley “is a fine actor.” I’m sure he is.
13. All the inside jokes and references that only the two of us understand. We have our own little language!
14. Our basement couples’ YouTube aerobics sessions. “Come on, hon! Get those legs up!”
15. Your nightly bubble bath featuring Wordle, Quordle, iPad puzzles, and occasionally your spouse. 
16. When ministry becomes frustrating, you pull me back from the ledge and help me to not grow weary—to not give up on people.
17. I experience everything—the slightest touch, hug, kiss, gesture, glance, or comment—much more strongly with/around you. It’s magnetic, magical, and inexplicable… or maybe it’s just love.
18. The way we recently looked at each other in the theater, crying, when that critically ill little girl finally got the break she needed.
19. You model Jesus by serving so many people in so many ways at so many times. It’s just a natural part of who you are. When He returns, and we meet Him in the air, I hope you get the first high-five. You inspire me, lady!
20. The adorable way you can’t pronounce “rural”, “vulnerable,” “Massachusetts,” or “Worcestershire.”
21. How our “falling apart” while engaged made us realize how much we needed to fall back together, one final time. 
22. Your willingness to teach Bible classes and share God’s love at Ladies Days across the country (including Pennsylvania this fall… road trip!) You also help me, in countless ways, lead mission trips to Honduras.
23. Your selfless diligence in editing my books, down to the last comma, because you want the world to get the best I have to offer. I look forward to returning the favor on your upcoming book!
24. How we (Nonni and Papa Fob) get this regular, insatiable desire to squeeze our precious Baby Bradford, then concoct a plan to convince our kids to invite us to Ballwin, MO for a long weekend. Also, how you care as much about our adult sons now as you did when they were children. 
25. You know my love language—scalp massages, eye rubs, ear pulls, deep conversation, getting coffee, perusing bookstores, and long walks in nature. Truth be told, doing life with you is my love language.
26. You used to get on top of our RV on sunny days with a bucket of suds, wearing shorts and a T-shirt, spraying it down with a hose. Based solely on safety considerations, I stood by and watched. Confession: I couldn’t wait to drive through the mud again!
27. You look at me, smile, and say, “This says it all!” whenever Shania Twain’s “From This Moment On” comes on the radio. I say the same to you whenever Vince Gill’s “Look at Us” comes on. We’re both right.
28. Almost all your Facebook posts are about elevating God and your family, not yourself. Without a doubt, you help me stay on the “straight and narrow” path toward God and Heaven.
29. You let me hike the Appalachian Trail and, over six months, cheered my every step and planned a couple of unforgettable, soul-reviving reunions. The journey changed my life and reinvigorated my passion for writing. I will always be grateful to you for that.
30. Your willingness to call me out, in love, when I need to be called out. You know my every flaw but value and emphasize my strengths. 
31. On back-to-back Christmases, you got me an anti-snoring nose plug, followed by mouth-sealing “hostage tape.” If you ever find out I can breathe through my ears, I’m in big trouble! 
32. Your “spaghetti”? Amazing, but the menu is diverse. You keep me guessing!
33. On our Alaska land/sea cruise, you were a finalist in the onboard American Idol singing competition, rocking the house with “Dancing Queen” as you fulfilled a childhood dream. I was so proud of you and excited to have married a rock star!
34. In addition to cooking and doing the laundry for our family, you often do the same for a former prisoner… showing him a love and concern that has too often been missing in his troubled life. You make him, the children of Didasko orphanage in Honduras, Anastasia, and so many others—“the least of these”—feel worthy. 
35. The way you always loudly blow your nose right before going to bed. It’s only a matter of time before the neighbors complain.
36.  I wake up every morning, not entirely sure how the day will go. But I always know that whatever happens, you will be in my corner. My battles will be your battles, and your battles will be mine.

My darling Janet, our journey across 48 states, 27 foreign countries, and 36 (really 40) years… by car, plane, boat, RV, and sometimes foot… has been incredible! You are God’s second-greatest gift to me, and I wouldn’t trade you for anyone in the world! 

As Vince Gill put it…

“Chances are we’ll go down in history
When they wanna see
How true love should be
They’ll just look at us.”

Happy 36^th Anniversary! 

My dreams came true because of you!

I love you!