102 Little Things That Say I Love You

It's true. We've experienced some sweeping moments in our marriage.

Like when we exchanged wedding vows on a lovely September morning.

When our first precious child was born.

Or when we learned that our fifth child would never walk or talk.

When he threw me that fabulous party for my 40th.

Or when I found him unconscious on the bathroom floor. Praying that God would spare his life.

Oh, we've had some big moments to be sure. But there are many days, weeks, and even months in between all those. Sipping coffee, heading to work, running errands, making dinner, putting kids to bed, and snuggling into each other at night. Little bits of love tucked into the everyday of our lives.

102 Little Things That Say I Love You

1. Telling him about my day. The ups and the downs.
2. Hearing all about his happenings too.
3. Holding hands. Any chance we get.
4. Saying hello with a kiss.
5. Not mentioning the bad breath.
6. Curling up against his warm back at midnight.
7. Sitting next to him in church.
8. And nudging each other when the sermon particularly applies.
9. Warming up his side of the bed.
10. Or grateful when he's already warmed up my side.
    
    
    
11. Sharing a cup of coffee. In the early morning hours.
12. Calling in the middle of the day. Just 'cause I miss him.
13. Taking turns getting up at night. With a fussy baby.
14. Waking me gently. With his soft touch.
15. Laughing at his jokes. Even if I've heard them all before.
16. Smiling. Because he's come home early.
17. Heading upstairs together to put the kids to bed.
18. Thankful when he's the one who's willing to tuck them in.
19. Texting a sweet little message.
20. Or maybe a slightly suggestive one.
    
    
    
21. Cleaning up the kitchen dishes together.
22. Standing by him. When he needs a friend.
23. Staying up 'til midnight wrapping Christmas presents.
24. Slow dancing. To an old love song from the 80's.
25. Bringing him an aspirin. Because he refuses to take ibuprofen.
26. Praying for his protection.
27. Winking at me. From across the room.
28. Folding his t-shirts. Just the way he likes them.
29. Helping me zip up the back of my dress. A little too slowly, if you ask me. *wink
30. Enjoying intimacy. Even when we're both rather tired.
    
    
    
31. Admiring his good looks.
32. And hearing his "Hello, Beautiful" too.
33. Allowing him to take the baby. So I can get some much needed sleep.
34. Kissing him on the lips. And staying there a little longer than necessary.
35. Graciously overlooking that mistake he made.
36. Falling asleep in his arms.
37. Waking up by his side.
38. Praying over me. While going into labor with each child.
39. Hearing him announce, "It's a boy!" and rejoicing together.
40. And, "It's a girl!" and rejoicing again.
    
    
    
41. Staying up late watching a romantic comedy. My pick.
42. Attempting to stay awake for his action flick.
43. Packing his lunch. Enclosing a little love note too.
44. Blowing him a kiss as he pulls out the driveway.
45. Listening to his goals and aspirations.
46. Sharing my hopes and dreams with him too.
47. Asking God to bless him mightily.
48. Laying my head on his shoulder. Because I can. And want to.
49. Cheering him up. When he's had a hard day.
50. Fetching a bowl for me. When I lose my breakfast....for the 5th time that morning.
    
    
    
51. Wiping out the whiskers from his sink.
52. Offering his coat to me at the restaurant. Because I forgot mine.
53. Taking a hot shower. Together. 
54. Thanking God for this man in my life. 
55. Rescuing me in the Target parking lot. Since the car battery died. Again.
56. Leaning into him. While we're kissing.
57. Telling me I'm gorgeous. When I'm wearing sweat pants.
58. Spreading toothpaste on his toothbrush. Or he for mine.
59. Sneaking a bowl of mint chip ice-cream. After the kids go to bed.
60. Offering a prayer for me. When I'm anxious in the middle of the night.
    
    
    
61. Trimming the back of my hair. That place where I can't quite reach.
62. Scratching his back. Although it's not my favorite thing to do.
63. Warming up my feet. With his own warm skin.
64. Listening to the rain coming down. Simply because it makes such a beautiful sound. 
65. Wrestling with the Thanksgiving turkey. When it's too big for the oven.
66. Kissing the top of my head. Even when I've been snippy. No, especially when I've been snippy.
67. Throwing pillows at me. Just for the fun of it.
68. But getting him back later. Because that's fun too.
69. Hiking to the very top. Then looking down at the big, wide world together.
70. Scouring the oven for me. Because I've let it go far, far too long.
    
    
    
71. Searching for matching socks for him. In the dark. Before he leaves for work.
72. Staying up all night at St. Charles hospital. Wondering if his father will pull through.
73. Making plans for his mom to move in with us. When she no longer remembers who we are.
74. Soaking in a deep bubble bath. The two of us. Or sometimes just for me.
75. Taking the little boys for a hike. So I could have a quiet morning at last.
76. Asking God to give him the strength. When he's hard-pressed with a deadline.
77. Getting away for a few days. A romantic escape.
78. Stroking my hair. When I'm troubled beyond words.
79. Listening to him sing old Billy Joel songs. Don't Go Changing.
80. Slipping away to a nearby cafe. An Americano for him and a lavender latte for me.
    
    
    
81. Letting him hold me. When I can't help but cry it out.
82. Sharing a Scripture verse with me. When I really needed to hear it.
83. Running out into a hailstorm. Trying to save the tomatoes from certain disaster.
84. Holding the screaming child in my arms. While he speeds all the way to the Emergency Room.
85. Feeling the immense relief. When we find out he's going to be okay.
86. Taking me for a scenic drive. When I'm desperate to get out of the house.
87. Saying goodbye to our eldest son. Knowing that this is what we raised him for.
88. Handing me a tissue. As I weep on the flight back home.
89. Attending the family reunion together. Wondering who's the crazy one.
90. Reading aloud to each other. When it's just too good to keep to yourself.
    
    
    
91. Sitting on the porch swing. Saying nothing at all.
92. Playing cards with his folks. Because it means something to them.
93. Saying I'm sorry. Because I really, really am.
94. Laying awake on the hard dirt ground. Questioning how he talked me into camping in the first place.
95. Waking up by a still, blue lake, green woods and a small campfire. Admitting it was all worth it. 
96. Forgiving each other. For the hundredth time.
97. Then letting it go. Another hundred times. 
98. Hitting the snooze button. And pretending for a few minutes that we've nothing better to do than snuggle in bed.
99. Telling the world how thankful I am to be married to him.
100. Blushing. As he tells everyone what a blessed man he is to be married to me.
101. Celebrating each anniversary. Truly grateful for every year we have together. 
102. Saying I Love You. Every day. Because I do.

Yes, most of our marriage is been made up of these tiny little things. 

Small things that simply say I Love You.

In His grace,

Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matthew L. Jacobson, literary agent and writer, and together they enjoy raising 8 children. Please join her over at Club31Women, a blog for any wife, mother, or sister who is looking for Biblical encouragement and inspiration. 

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