I married a good one.

He’s the kind that rubs my back when I’m overcome with morning sickness or tries to keep the kid’s attention diverted when I’m doing my stomach injections.

He’s the kind that kisses my stomach and tells our unborn baby how much he loves him or her.

He’s the kind that looks at our children with the most adoring eyes.

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He’s the kind that sends “I love you so much and can’t wait to see you tomorrow” texts from his 24-hour shifts at the firehouse.

He’s the kind that takes me to get my favorite coffee because he can tell I need to get out of the house.

One thing I absolutely adore about my husband is that my children look at him like I do—like he is their world.

They pretend to be firefighters and “help people” when he’s away at the firehouse.

They run to the door when they hear the key turn early in the morning as he arrives home.

They give him bear hugs that last forever after he’s been gone for over 24 hours.

We are a far-from-perfect family. We fight, have struggles, and sometimes just need five seconds of normal conversation without toddlers screaming in the background.

But we make it work. Because it’s worth it. They are worth it. He’s worth it. The struggles are worth it.

I hope and pray my children continue to look at their daddy the way they do—I know he will always be one of their loudest cheerleaders.

We are a team. We are dependent on God to keep our marriage together. And I am SO very thankful that we did not throw the towel in many years ago when things were so difficult in every way.

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It is worth it. Fight for your marriage. Know that your spouse is not your competition—you are one another’s biggest cheerleaders and support system.

Let them in.

Appreciate their quirks.

Don’t give up.

The struggles can tear you apart or make you stronger together.

Originally published on the author’s blog