Dear Husband,

I want to take a minute to let you know that I am so grateful for your job.

I know that should seem obvious, because that job pays the bills around here (which are basically never-ending), but I think, at times, maybe it actually isn’t so clear.

The truth is, sometimes the inconveniences of your job pile up. When they hit unexpectedly, or rapidly, one after another, I sometimes find it hard to catch my breath. In my frustration, I’m sure it can feel like I’m not grateful for the work you do, and that’s just not true.

When you have to stay late for a team dinner and I’m at home solo, hustling everyone through soccer practices, baths, and bedtime routines.

When things are ramping up at your office and you’re putting in extra hours there while I’m wrangling a fussy newborn, toddler, and preschooler at home.

When you call me an hour or two late to tell me you’re just now leaving the office and the witching hour is in full effect here at home, where the kids have lost their ever-loving minds

When you have to go out of town for a business trip and everyone comes down with a nasty stomach virus.

When you’re having nice dinners out, and I’m shoveling leftover pizza crusts into my mouth between school projects and reading logs.

When you’re sleeping in hotels and I’m playing musical beds with three kids who are waking throughout the night.

When these things happen and my frustrations mount, I’m sure it can feel like I don’t know how hard you work, like I don’t appreciate all that you do for our family. My words and my actions communicate irritation, maybe even desperation--and certainly not gratitude.

So I want to directly and definitively tell you now, while I’m clear-headed and well-rested: I appreciate your job and the work that you do there.

Your job that provides the funds for all the soccer teams and pays for the water in those post-game showers.

Your job that pays for our house where I stay with our children during the dreaded witching hour, but also during all of the tender moments before and after.

Your job that pays for the many doctor’s visits, the pizza crusts, and the musical beds that we sleep in.

I know that in the chaos of day-to-day life with littles, the big picture is easily lost, but I am so grateful for your job and the life it provides for us.

I am so grateful for you.

At an awards gala for my husband's job -- fancy schmancy!