A Day of Thanks... and Birthday's!

I have so much to be thankful for, and as we enter into November, I want to list some of what I'm thankful for throughout the month.

I am first extremely thankful for my faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the patience that He exudes with me. I am thankful for my continued recovery and acceptance of life as it is, not as I would have it. I am thankful that I am able to take one day at a time and one moment at a time.

Today, I am extremely thankful for two very special people in my life who just so happen to have the same birthday - today - November 2nd!

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The man who I love entered my life four years ago. It was unexpected, not planned, but definitely not coincidental. God definitely knew what He was doing that day on May 26, 2007. This man taught me about how to be loved, how to be okay with who you are, how to enjoy laughter, and how to honestly love football. He loves me for exactly the way I am (emotions and all), is a man of God, and is my best friend. I love watching him coach highschoolers and be passionate about what he does to the fullest. I am at every football game, cheering on the sidelines among the players, but moreso, I'm watching my love enjoy his job as a coach. I admire him for the patience he has, his calm demeanor, and the beautiful heart he has for others. I have seen him grow in the last four years to be an amazing man who has taken the time to listen, learn, seek, and love, and I hope to be lucky enough to spend many more years growing together with him. He is one of the funniest people I know. I love watching him impersonate certain people, watching Law & Order marathons with him, and having him come up from behind me and wrap his arms around me and kiss me on the neck. When he leaves me, he kisses me goodbye, but then he also tenderly kisses me on the forehead, which I adore. I enjoy hearing stories of when he was little and stories of his dad. I love his family. The first time I met them was at Thanksgiving 2007, and after dinner, I fell asleep on their couch. I was so embarrassed that I fell asleep but later was told it's a sign of "comfortableness" and was taken as a compliment. I love his son, even though he is not my own. I have loved watching him grow up since he was 11 years old, and my first time meeting him was when he, his dad, and I went to a hockey game together. I remember feeling honored that this man who I had just met a few months prior was willing to open his son up to meeting me. I miss watching his son play baseball as he is a phenomenal player (this was back in Little League), but I look forward to sitting in the stands and cheering on this now 15 year old as he takes on a new endeavor - lacrosse.

So, to this man that I love with all my heart, who I know would lay down his life for me, and who never says "if" you walk again, but "when"... to the man I watched get baptized and commit his life to the Lord, who watched me surf for the first time, and who encouraged me to compete for Ms. Wheelchair California, I say to my best friend, my support system, and my love, "Happy Birthday, Robert! I love you with all that is within me!" I hope to spend many, many more birthday's with you.

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The second person who's birthday is today is one of my best girl friends who God brought into my life a year ago. She is my opposite and an amazing accountability partner. She does not judge me for the things I've done wrong in my life, forgives without holding a grudge, and above all, has given me a friend who I can count on for anything at any time. Not only is she a woman of God, but she is knock down, drop dead gorgeous! She has a genuine heart for the less fortunate and specifically for those who are disabled (she is an occupational therapist), loves life, the outdoors, the sun, traveling, and frozen yogurt! Yum! :) Yes, she is my opposite, but she is also almost a twin. We understand each other, and when she's busy, working, or with her husband (who just so happens to be the white version of Robert! Ha!), a part of me feels like it's missing. She has a thirst for the Word, a passion for healing people through the gift that God has given her, and a generous spirit that will try anything once. I love her so much, and I'm so, so glad that she was born on this day as well. So to one of my best friends who I consider as close to a sister as one could probably get, I say, "Happy Birthday, Chrissie! I love you!"



I am so, so blessed to have two people who I love so much and that love me just as I am to be born on the same day! Happy Birthday Robert and Chrissie!