Happy Birthday Dan!

Tomorrow is Dan's birthday! Months before I ever met Dan, his family had been telling me all about him. I, naturally, thought there would never be anything to it since he lived in Brazil and I lived in Oklahoma. The very first time I ever saw Dan I remember thinking to myself, "Well, if anything were to ever happen, it would have to be God." A little over 4 years into marriage, I still feel that way. I feel so lucky and blessed to have such an amazing husband to share life with day-in and day-out. God truly does give us far more then we could ever ask or imagine. It's been 4 and a half years since Dan asked me to marry him. In those 4 and a half years, we planned a wedding, got married, Dan finished school, we changed jobs, moved overseas, studied two languages, and have 2 kids with the 3rd on the way. If you look at any list of high stress factors, I think we've probably got the majority of them covered. They say that who you really are comes out in stressful situations. If that is true, then I am here to vouch that either my husband doesn't get stressed at all (which I think is probably partially true) or he is just an amazing person who is equally great during all seasons of life (which I know is true). I've learned a lot from being married to Dan. He is the type of guy who doesn't try to lead by asserting his role as husband, but just by living how he knows he is supposed to live. There are many situations where his example has pricked my conscience pretty deep. There are two things that really stand out to me that I have seen continually in Dan's life, and have learned from. The first is a humble spirit. I don't think I've met anyone more humble then my husband. What Dan does with his life is never about getting the acclamation or praise for it, but always out of a genuine love for others and desire to serve them. Dan is also so generous and giving. As middle class Americans, it's hard to ever truly give sacrificially. But I have learned a lot from Dan in this area. I am so thankful for my sweet husband! Happy Birthday Dan!