My Favorite person

I knew that she was the one probably before the first date.  We had talked for a few months before I could ever work up the nerve to ask her on a date because i was scared that if she met me in person, I would screw it up.  I knew after the second date when I took her to BJ's Brewery and the worst movie either of us had ever seen and she wanted to go on a third date that we had something here.  It was a blur after that.   A late night post Jimmy Buffett concert call from her to me and we were off to the races.  She asked if i was awake at like 2 a.m. and I said yes (I had been asleep for at least a couple hours).  The things that I want you to know about her are many and various.  The first thing that I loved about her is, she didn't need me.  She was independent, she already had a great career, she had a full and healthy social life.  She loved her parents and in particular, she had a good relationship with her Dad.  (single dudes looking for a wife, I cannot tell you the importance of the knowledge of her relationship with her Dad.  If it's unhealthy, you'll be fighting an uphill battle for the rest of your life).
She was a Christian that served and went on missions.  She loved college football.  As I began to check the list off, I realized she checked boxes that I didn't ever think about having written down.  She was nice. She appreciated that I was nice. You would be surprised at how that can work against you when you're dating someone sometimes, but that's a conversation for another blog post.  She took me to Austin for my first Longhorns game in person.  She took me to the national championship game later that same year.  If there is a more well rounded person than her, I don't know them.  She liked going to concerts.  She loves being around people.  Let me touch on this one a little bit. I do not like being around people,  You will find me trying to figure out a way to get out of certain gatherings if there is any way possible to do so.  I think one of her favorite things to do is to put me in uncomfortable situations to see how i react.  I strive to not make her life more difficult, so most of the time, I fake it til i make it.
We dated for 10 months.  I didn't meet her family during this time.  I thought it was weird.  I didn't say anything because I assumed that something had gone on in a previous relationship where the ex boyfriend was close to the family.  To this day, I don't know the names of any of her exes with the exception of one.  I didn't care. I still don't.  Less history, more mystery is my policy.  I remember telling her that I think I'm in love with her.  I literally said I think. I guess I was offering myself some sort of out in case she wasn't.  Luckily she said she loved me too.  Not too long after this conversation, I asked her if I had to ask her parents if I could marry her.  She said yes.  I asked her, don't you think you should introduce me to them first? She said that would probably be a good idea and I finally got to meet the Wood's.  She brought me to a park for a birthday party without announcing who or what i was.  (this was super awkward, but reference the above sentence where i think she loves putting me in positions that make me totally uncomfortable). Everyone was nice.  Then next event was a birthday celebration at Greasewood Flats.  I specifically remember this night because her Mom sidled right up to me at the table and said, who are you, and are you dating my daughter?  I said I'm Jarod and yes.  Not too long after this conversation, I asked her parents to have lunch with me at Ajo Al's, and asked them if I could marry their daughter. They both gave me their blessing.  Her Dad asked me if i knew how strong willed she was.  I had an idea.  I now have a better idea.  Spoiler alert: She's still pretty strong willed.
We got married.  I remember having a conversation about kids prior to us getting married.  I asked when she wanted to have kids.  She said right away.  I said ok, me too.  We went on our honeymoon at the end of october 2010. Our first son was born on July 17, 2011.  The math checks out.  I've said all of this stuff that I love about her to say this about her.  I love the way that she is a Mom to my two boys.  She cares about every aspect of their life.  Our second son was born on March 24, 2013 by the way.  We went back to back.  Caleb was in a big boy bed before he was two.  I digress.  From the moment these two little guys were born, something happened to her.  Everything else became much smaller.  These two became very big to her.  It seems that every decision we make, involves these two boys.  She prays with them.  She does homework with them.  She teaches them how to be gentlemen.  She tickles them.  She plays hide and seek with them.  She cries when they cry.  She worries if they're friendly enough. She wants them to be loved.  Both of them have so many of her characteristics.  Caleb has her tenacity. Luke has her gentile caring personality.  The way she mothers our boys is what I love most about her.  They will be good men because she is a good Mom to them.  They will never have to worry about their Mom caring for them.  She always will.  When she is out of town and I am in charge, I feel like we're just surviving.  When she is here, we thrive.
By writing this post, I run the risk of not having anything good to write in her card, but it's ok.  I wanted to tell you a little bit about her because she means so much to me.  She has been a rock during a very difficult period of my life.  She's pretty much the only one that sees me cry.  I love her.  She is the best Mom, and I'm glad that God put us together.  I truly can't imagine it any other way.  Her name is Christa by the way.