Carlyn Jaye Bradley Canady RN BSN MDiv.com (her full name that I call her) is the best thing that has ever happened to me. This time of year is always special in our household. For you see, there's Mother's Day. A few days later, Carlyn and I celebrate our wedding anniversary (on the 17th). And then 4 days after that, we celebrate Carlyn's birthday. It's all about the Carlyns!!
We just celebrated 11 years of marriage. And for those that know us, know that we have been through a lot! But no matter what we go through, good or bad, we both know that in the end, it will still be the three of us (Makayla is the third, duh).
Carlyn is one of the biggest factors in my life when it came to refocusing my attention to my Christian walk. In college, I sort of drifted away (as many do). Now don't get me wrong, it wasn't a 180 turn away from Christ...just not a daily focus as it should be. It was Carlyn's passion and drive that really helped me steer back to what was most important.
I remember our first date. It was an unofficial date where we had lunch together with a lot of friends at a dumpy Mexican joint. We flirted like middle schoolers...and we were both college students! Then our first "official" date the following week, we both took off our tomatoes and cucumbers off of our salads at the OutBack...we knew it was love.
We've celebrated life and death together.
We are each other's biggest cheerleaders (although I really hate wearing the skirts).
We rate each other's burps (you guys know this is important).
We "get" each other.
You would think that well into our 30's, that we would have grown out of popping each other with the dishtowel in the kitchen...but alas no. Carlyn...remember, don't pop me in my face (that's my money maker!).
We are as content with a night on the town as we are at home doing nothing.
Thank God Carlyn loves Nintendo.
Thank God Carlyn loves Macs.
Thank God Carlyn loves Japanese food.
Thank God Carlyn tolerates my love of Def Leppard.
Thank God Carlyn loves the fact that I love Bugs Bunny cartoons.
Thank God Carlyn loves me.
Carlyn is the best mom I could hope for our daughter Makayla. Her constant push to correct Makayla is shaping her to be a confident and strong little woman. Her unconditional love of her is unmatched. Her ability to nurture and lead is amazing.
I love Carlyn's obsession with all things Eeyore.
I love Carlyn's obsession with web based computer games/puzzles.
I love Carlyn's obsession with sweet tea.
I love Carlyn's obsession with wanting more out of a local church.
I love Carlyn's obsession with the line of Saturn automobiles.
I love Carlyn.
To really know Carlyn is to love her. I love all the little things that make up who she is. She is my partner, my wife, and my best friend.
To quote our vows 11 years ago (which quoted a movie before that)..."She completes me". Now, if you must barf, please don't do it on your computer, those things are expensive.
I love you Carlyn!
