appreciation

əˌprēSHēˈāSH(ə)n/

noun

1. The recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.

Appreciation is something we all deserve, but how do you show someone or something they are appreciated? Do you go out of your way to make them breakfast or say thank you? Or do you simply just take these actions for granted because you expect them to do it or they do these things every day? I must say, I am guilty of this; I keep catching myself and I feel like a terrible person.

My husband is my best friend, but he is also the best at pissing me off, as I’m sure we have all succeeded in this area with our spouses and/or significant others. Sometimes, I forget to appreciate all the wonderful things he does for me. So, this goes out to my wonderful husband, even when he annoys the shit out of me.

Thank you for waking me up in the morning to kiss me and say goodbye.

It really is the little things that remind me he still loves me every day. Him waking me up in the morning before he goes to work is one of the small things I am really going to miss when he has to leave. This lets me know that he is thinking about me as he leaves for the day.

Thank you for the surprises.

I get surprised with a number of things all the time. Sometimes, it’s a grand gesture like taking me out on a surprise date, sometimes it’s something small like him doing laundry (which turns out actually seems to be a big thing). We’ll go to the store and he’ll purchase a movie I’ve been wanting to see or something for my baking habits just because he can. It’s the little surprises that keeps our spark alive (well, it’s part of it). It’s his way of showing his appreciation for me.

Thank you for the Support. Always.

I recently went off my anti-anxiety and anti-panic attack meds, and because of this, I have been an emotional wreck. I’m constantly questioning my ability and overthinking everything that is going on around me/us. He supports me by reminding me to breath during my panic attacks, telling me to make time for my homework because he knows how important school is to me. He supports me by making sure I have the transportation to school and ways to complete my homework. He is one of my biggest supporters and I wouldn’t have made into the National Honor Society without him. He pushes me to reach my full potential and that’s all I could ever ask for.

Thank you for looking towards the future with me.

There was a time when I know he wanted nothing to do with the future. He never planned on having a spouse or kids. He simply planned on living as the bachelor for the rest of his life, and he was okay with that. He knew I wanted a future with someone, but I really tried to never press the idea. Until the day he said, “Imagine our kids playing hockey one day and running around yelling 'Mommy!'” I'm pretty sure I cried. But, from that day forward, he and I have had our eyes on the future, on our future, together.

So, thank you, Patrick Bloyd, for being you, for being my best friend, and for trying to understand my obsession with dogs and elephants as I try to understand your obsession of movies. Thank you for choosing me as the person you want next to you for the many years to come. Thank you for standing by my emotional and sensitive self. I promise I will always be one of your biggest supporters.

I appreciate you.