I see the gray hair and lines on your face

You’re ruggedly handsome now. You’re younger years are fading, and to me, well, it’s breathtaking: I love getting a front-row seat to all these little changes that others may not even notice about you. But I study each part of you. You are familiar to me, but as you grow and change you become just a bit unfamiliar at the same time.

I love being on this adventure called growing old with you.

I see the wisdom you’ve gained, through each passing year, you’re so much more patient now. As a young man who was once quick to react, you are now much more confident and slow to frustration. You consider my side of the story and take time to listen to what I have to say. You are less rushed, less hasty, you have learned that time isn’t always money. You are watching the years slip away and realizing that one day, you’ll only wish we had more time. 

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I see the way you’ve transformed into a great father, giving your own needs the backseat and letting the kid’s needs take the front. I never saw you worry about a whole lot until you became a dad. Your care and concern for their well-being pull at my heartstrings.

I see the way you take time to laugh now, not just with the kids but also with me.

You are a lot of fun. Your sense of humor has changed and only been amplified through raising our children. You were funny before, but now you make me laugh until I’m curled up in a ball on the kitchen floor begging you to stop because my belly hurts.

I see the way you’ve stopped caring about what others think. The way things appear on the outside are not all that important to you anymore. You’re so much more genuine now. You’ve learned it’s the inside that matters—not only for yourself but also for our kids. Your desire to raise kind, respectful, and grateful human beings has made you more aware of practicing these things in your own life. You are more careful with your responses and quicker to check on those who you know might be struggling. 

I see the way you no longer care about impressing others, you used to (and so did l, for that matter), but having multiple children is exhausting and time-consuming. I love how you are now more concerned about what I think more than anyone else (and you know that after all these years I think the world of you). You know I’ve seen you at your worst and at your best and every little bit in between. Opinions of others are losing their impact on you. You’ve outgrown them and you are on to bigger and better things. 

I see the struggles you’ve endured, the giants you’ve conquered—you’re much more resilient now.

I see the habits you’ve broken, the better ones you’ve created. You’re much more disciplined now. I see the laugh lines that crinkle right next to your eyes, you take life less seriously now.

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Growing older looks so good on you, and I’m lucky to be by your side. I get to take it all in, savor each change. Some want to reverse time, but not me. I much prefer life on this side, and I wouldn’t go back if I could. All those years ago, there was so much we had yet to learn about life and love and each other. There were fun times, yes, and so much we reminisce about, but those years belong right where they were and we belong right where we are.

So let’s keep moving forward because I really love being on this adventure called growing old with you.