To my hard-working husband,

I watch you sometimes. Probably more than you know. I watch you when you are making your lunch for work in the morning. I can see the look of reluctance on your face. Though, I know you love your job and find satisfaction in what you do, you still wish there were times that you didn’t have to go. As you go out the door, sometimes without a goodbye kiss, I watch you as you pull out of the driveway and head off for the day. 

As the business day ends and I see 5:00 turn over on the clock, I know you’ll soon be home. You’ll provide me with a break and baby backup until bedtime. One boy watches out the window when I say “Daddy will be home soon.” I wonder if you know how excited he is when he sees your truck pull in? As you come through the door, the aura of the house is shifted. Your presence brings new life into our house. After chasing them both around all day, your calmness washes me. You are the steady force in our family. The three of us look to you in times of trouble and after long, hard days. I’ve told you this before, but I’m not sure you believe me.

Even if your day was bad, you don’t let our boys see it on your face. I know you though, and sometimes I can see that your day was hard and all you want to do is relax. That’s hard when we have two little ones leaning on us for dinner, play time and baths each night. When they are finally in bed, you listen to me gripe. Rarely do you vent to me, though I do ask about your day. You are such a good listener. I’m not sure if I’ve ever told you that?

I watch you on the weekends when everyone else is out having fun. You are often doing projects around the house—the firewood won’t cut itself after all, and some things are just better left for the “Honey Do” list rather than me attempting something I know you are just better at. The list is never very long because you are quick to get the items done. You and I are both people that like to get stuff done and it shows in our household. We’ve given this old cabin life again in the two years we’ve lived here. It was beaten and forgotten, but with us as its new inhabitants it’s starting to look like the house it was meant to be. I have to give you most of the credit for this. I know you don’t think I notice, but I watch you as you work outside. When you are done raking, you take a step back to admire the progress you made on the lawn. Or when you put that flag pole up in the center of our driveway. I probably haven’t told you yet just how great it looks!

When you aren’t here you are helping others with whatever they need help with. Whether you are helping other veterans train their service dogs or helping a friend lay hardwoods at their house, I want you to know that your diligence is not overlooked. Not just by me, but by those you extend the kind hand to. You are a true friend and it pains me to see that some of yours never return the favor in your times of need. You deserve better than that!

I want you to know all of your hard work does not go unnoticed. I know sometimes I say you’ve got the easier job of the two of us, and you often agree with me. But, the grass is always greener on the other side. To be honest, I don’t know if I could do what you do. Your personal time is limited and your needs often come last. But, you love us more than anything and I know you do it all for us. 

I see you. I see everything you do for our family. Just know that all you do is not unrecognized. Quite the opposite, because everything you do for us just makes me love you all the more.

Love,

Your Ever-Watchful Wife