Dear handsome guy,

"Thank you" is something I want you to hear a little more often. Call it a resolution for 2016, but in all honesty, you deserve to hear those two words more because of everything you do for me. Yeah, sure, this letter is starting off cheesy, but we all love cheese (my lactose intolerant self included), so here we go.

Thank you for being kind.

You are that sweet man who checks up on me when I'm stressed with homework. You are that guy who goes out of his way to make sure everyone feels cared for. You are the one who reminds me to take a dairy pill and refuses to let me have the ice cream until I take it. You are the 6-foot-5 guy who still cuddles with his mama because you know her love is something you never want to take for granted. Your kindness is infectious.

Thank you for making me laugh.

You have the ability to make me laugh so hard that my face turns red and my tummy hurts. You know every single face that makes me giggle without fail (especially when I am trying to stay mad at you). You're the "just right" kind of funny when I am sad and need a pick-me-up. You will always embarrass yourself in front of others if it means getting me to laugh. My laugh is sweeter because of you.

Thank you for fighting with me.

You are realistic because you know we have to disagree sometimes. You know that our relationship is far from perfect, regardless of us being perfect for one another. You know that being silent and ignoring each other is worse than having a fight every now and then. You know that with every fight comes a better understanding of love and forgiveness. Thank you.

Thank you for making me feel important.

You listen to every detail of my day because you are genuinely interested. You put so much thought into every gift you give to me. You let me know you're thinking about me when we are apart. You know that sometimes I just need someone to listen to what I have to say. Not a day goes by that you don't make me feel so special.

Thank you for accepting my flaws.

You are the one who knows just how hard I am on myself. You are the one who builds me up, especially when I tear myself down. You know how stubborn I can be, yet you still devote so much time to letting me know why you love me. I sure don't deserve it, but you look past all my rough edges and love me anyway.

Thank you for choosing me every day.

Both of us have talked about how we don't really think soulmates exist. Attraction is natural, but true love is a choice that is made again and again, day after day. You always say, "We may not always like each other, but we will always love each other." Sometimes you know just how to push my buttons and I really don't want to be around you, but I choose to love you anyway because we are a team that doesn't give up on each other. We have had our trials, and I can promise you that we will have more, but our decision to keep choosing each other every day trumps every bump in the road we are on together. You choose me every day.

You do so much for me every day, and I promise to remind you just how much I appreciate every little thing a lot more often. To my best friend, partner in crime, dance partner, late night confidante and love of my life, thank you for loving me exactly like you do.

Love,

The girl who makes the best choice every day