For the Husbie: What Donnie Does for Us

I think it is important to dedicate a post to what Donnie has been through since becoming a Dad. Mostly just to show some appreciation but also to commemorate his upcoming graduation as well.

Work

Soon after Ara was born Donnie was hired as a PCA at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and he has been working three 12hr night shifts every week since. I am so proud of him. He has a strong work ethic and powers through. He has gotten many compliments from nurses and fellow PCAs saying that they want to work with him because "he gets stuff done". I'm glad I married a man who is passionate in his work and who strives to do his best where he is. 

Donnie garbed up for Ara's Birth

School

On March 9th Donnie will be graduating from Chamberlain College of Nursing as an RN. He will be graduating with honors and will even be giving a short speech at the honors brunch before graduation. Despite having many professors whose "teaching" fell below Donnie's educational background expectations, he has maintained a positive outlook and remained determined to succeed. We are both amazed at how God has really taken Donnie on a journey from wanting to be a history teacher and being incredibly passionate about doing so, to now being in the healthcare field knowing that he is making a difference in his patients' lives and finding that this calling on his life is so strong. I am so impressed with this transition in his life, how much he has learned and what he does on a daily basis. I do not have the stomach, desire, heart, strength, stamina or courage to do what he has been doing. 

Cats

To weasel my way into getting a darling little kitten I told Donnie that I would take care of it. Well, not only do I not have the stomach for nursing, but I also do not have the stomach for scooping litter, cleaning up cat vom/hairballs or really even the smell of cat food. Needless to say he is a champ because we ended up getting Boo not too long after we got Penny (she got lonely). They are truly his pets. He feeds them and takes care of them while Ara and I smile at them, pet them and play with them once in awhile. So different is our roles in the cats' existence in our lives that I have been trying to talk Donnie into finding other homes for them to avoid the substantial increase in pet rent at our new town home. Don't worry though! When Donnie started to shed tears at the thought of not having these members of our family around anymore I soon joined him in tears and so they are with us until death do us part. For someone who never wanted a cat he has sure become the best cat owner they could have asked for.

Ara

Donnie is the best Daddy. After all he does at work and school he comes home and is full of smiles, hugs and kisses for his little girl. When he comes home she perks right up and has a giant smile for her daddy. How much he loves her just makes me love him all the more. He is constantly thinking of her. For Valentine's Day not only did I get a card and roses (3 one for each member of our family excluding cats) but he got Ara a very nice card (which he wrote a heartfelt note in for her to read later) and a toy rose as well. He makes her giggle by giving her lots of kissies (his beard tickles her) and also when he is changing her he rubs her feet on his beard and she laughs and laughs. Baby laughter is one of the most magically precious things that God made (just my humble opinion) and the fact that the love of my life can so easily make it happen melts my heart. It has been an honor to see him become a father.

Me

The first few times I ever went to a therapist to talk about losing my dad and the stresses of my current situation (that was then being in graduate school) they always asked me about my husband. First they would be sort of surprised that I was married at 23 (which is old in my family) and then in a tone almost expecting that I would launch into a downward spiral asked me "how that was going". Much to their surprise I would smile and tell them how much I love him and how supportive Donnie is; one therapist noted that it was the only time I smiled during my sessions while another told me to go home and tell Donnie to keep up the good work. Donnie is the love of my life on this world. We were made for eachother and brought together by the hand of God.

While others seem to be surprised (perhaps because of our communication style: get it all out/ "fight" and deal/"make up") we remain the constant backbone for one another. Donnie is my rock. He was my best friend before he was anything else. We both knew when we got engaged that God would be number one, we would number two and children would be number three in our priorities. This foundation has allowed us to still be madly in love (5 years married this upcoming Aug. 11 years friends).

Throughout this past year while doing all of the above he also encouraged me in breastfeeding, taken turns in waking up as possible, changed many a poo-splosion, comforted me at my low times, let me know it's okay to be dealing with postpartum, helped me see my worth, supported me in being a stay at home mom and loved me when I've believed that I'm an unlovable mess whose body, mind, emotions and let's be honest everything is wildly different since giving birth. 

Donnie, you are the love of my life! I could not be more proud or in awe of you and all you HAVE DONE. I'm so happy that this season of our lives is almost over and I'm so excited to go on our next journey!