tributes

i haven't figured out yet how to upload pictures but if i had i would put a big heart here. i've been thinking that i want to let my family know how wonderful and special they are and let others know how wonderful they are. my family is my heart.

the first, of course, is my fantastic husband. i love him for so many reasons. first is that he saved me. many of you don't know much about my life when i first went to college. my parents got a divorce and i was pretty much left to my own devices. the summer before i left for college my dad came home from vietnam for the second time. my parents had not had a very good marriage for awhile and it all came to a head when daddy came home. mom and dad got a divorce and my mom went a little "wild." just suffice it to say that home was not home anymore. i lost most of the contact with my dad. i was somewhat adrift when i got to college. i met keith and he helped me work through a lot of things. he loved me and believed in me.

he has always believed that i could do more than i ever thought i could. he has always been there for me. when i went back to college he did so much so that i could study, work and when i wanted to quit he wouldn't let me! he is now encouraging me to continue my education by getting my specialist degree. yet again when i said i didn't see how he said of course i could. it so nice to have someone affirm you.

he is a fantastic father. he is the man that i dreamed of for my children, although he is a soft touch : ) he's never been afraid to tell his sons that he loves them and give them hugs and kisses, even now! he loves them unconditionally and they know they can trust him always.

he is the smartest man i know, alive or dead!!! he's horrible to play trivial pursuit with unless he's on your side. he has helped me with so many papers and research projects that would have taken hours to find information for. he's also my editor which has gotten me more than one A in school. he even went to school for me one time when i was sick to take notes. my professor wanted to know if he could come back!

i think i knew he was truly the man God had for me when we could sit without talking and there was not an awkward feeling about that. even now, if we are driving or sitting and neither of us is talking it just feels comfortable.

these are just a few of the things i love about him. i could go on and on but these are the most important things: he is a man of God, a good father, a wonderful husband, the best person i've ever met and i am fortunate enough to call him my husband.

i love you with all my heart!

your deb