Happy Birthday Amber!

So I have never written on the blog before, and I knew it would be a big surprise for Amber if I did. Since today is her birthday, I want to leave a little message and let her know how much I love her. Amber is an amazing woman! I met her in Alaska when she was 15 (I was 19- I know, kind of sleazy). I knew there was something special about her from the moment she walked into my restaurant, but I knew I needed to hold back my feelings because she was a bit too young. As we grew older, so did our friendship. I came to appreciate her intelligence, spirituality, and beauty in a way I never believed possible. I stood in awe at this teenage girl who was far beyond her years. I knew that she was the kind of person with whom I would want to spend eternity. A couple of years after we began our relationship, I decided to serve a mission. Those were the hardest two years of my life because I had to be away from the girl of my dreams. However, the mission taught me a good lesson about our relationship: her absence in my life made me realize that I never wanted to be apart from her again once I returned home. My love for her only grew deeper. Our wedding day was the greatest day of my life: to kneel across the alter from my sweetheart and be united for all eternity brought me the greatest joy I have ever known. Now, as our lives change ever so rapidly, as our family grows and we grow older, the joy I felt kneeling across from Amber in the temple swells stronger in my heart. I once heard a temple sealer say that when you see your wife give birth to your children, you will be tempted to worship her. I now understand what he meant. What Amber goes through everyday to bring children into this world is goddess-like, and I stand in awe now more than ever before. Amber, you are such a beautiful person, a wonderful mother, and an incredible wife. I am so grateful to have you forever. The longer we are married, the more I love you. I hope that you have a wonderful, enjoyable, and puke-free birthday :)! I love you baby.