To my husband,

In just a few short weeks our lives will change forever–we will never go another day in our lives not being “Mom” and “Dad.” And while this is a change we’ve dreamt so long for, I never want to forget the blessing that three and a half years dating and three and a half years of marriage has been.

Here are a few of my favorite traditions, memories, and moments over our time together.

Our honeymoon(s). The worst honeymoon ever at the Westin. When someone stole our wine and locked us out of our room–our very romantic room with two queen beds off a shared balcony with sliding glass doors.

Our real honeymoon in Disneyland–seeing you see Disney for the first time ever and watching you fall in love with it. Going on the Dumbo ride with you as our first ever ride together in Disney and your first ride ever. I know it’s not your favorite–but it has always been mine. You planning literally the best trip ever with amazing dinners and shows. The most glorious naps of all time. That super awkward moment when that lady was doing an armature bikini photo shoot at the pool. The shows, the rides, the FOOD. Having everyone congratulate us on being “just married” and it being your first time to Disney Land. Walking arm in arm with Goofy down main street. Going on the Pirates ride about ten times because you loved it so much.

All of our weekend getaways. When I lost all of that guy’s money on roulette in Vegas and asked for a drink with less alcohol. And when we realized we almost went to the “sensual” Cirque Du Soleil show but instead went to the super weird magic show. When I discovered Sketchers.

When we ventured through Seattle and marveled at the artisans (or, at least I did) while we stuffed our faces with freshly made donuts. And accidentally snuck into the glass museum. Going through the aquarium and watching the otters have their lunch. And watching those other baby otters sleep. Finding that Star Trek guy’s dopple ganger–and being the poorest people at that restaurant. Looking out over the city on the space needle and nearly freezing to death. Even though that trip was meant to be about fixing my body, it was rest for my soul.

When you took me to the Mission Inn, waking up to our beautiful view and you, and the feeling of peace I hadn’t felt in so long. Exploring the corridors for hours and getting lost and finding our way–especially that balcony. Going through our first rental car experience and driving to San Diego. Watching you experience Sea World for the first time and seeing the orcas. Me attempting to sneak our underwater camera underwater (for about .2 seconds) in every pool we came across. The cleaner fish that you loved so much. Me trying to get my wet-suit on and you having to help me and us laughing so hard and the trainer being annoyed at us–she didn’t get it. Swimming with the belugas and paying an exorbitant amount for those stupid pictures. Going back to the hotel and watching The Great British Baking Show at night. Me accidentally killing those hundreds of “seashells” and you having to clean up the crime scene. You extending our trip because I wasn’t ready to face the world just yet.

That super embarrassing moment grocery store right after we got married–you know the one–not sure I’ve ever laughed that hard in my life. But pretty much any trip to the grocery store turned into an adventure; be that a dance party or a yelling match or tag or me wandering off and you having to come find me. Me forcing you to push me in the Costco cart even though you thought we’d get kicked out (eye roll).

That one summer we worked out all the time and were in the best shape of our lives. (Probably won’t ever look that good again, honey ;).) When you tried to be secretive about pointing out someone we knew but failed miserably and basically yelled directly at the guy.

That deer thing you said that was so funny but neither of us can remember.

When I left a trail of edamame leading to our house from the grocery store you hated.

Our first bed–a full sized mattress when you were forced to cuddle with me. How we almost always fell asleep holding hands.

The “Danger” sign at the pawn shop across the street from our first place.

Driving with you to work and sleeping the whole time instead of keeping you company and you being okay with it (most of the time).

The Christmas Eve we got engaged and our first Christmas married. That night before Christmas in the living room of our condo when we were talking about our future kids.

All these years of going to church service with you (albeit quite late every time).

That one time I accidentally lit the veggies on fire and you saw it when you were turning in to come home.

The first time we spent a night apart more than two years into our marriage. It was horrible–I hated leaving you, but I loved having someone to hate leaving. Every time I traveled and you went to that little glass area by the escalators. The feeling of landing and seeing you waiting for me.

You chasing me to our room (and no, not the time I biffed and ran into the door. That’s a favorite memory of yours).

Watching you with Bella and Meila.

Being woken up by you with bunnies.

Every time Graham, Maisie, Mellow or Nestle ran into something or did something remotely cute and we both freaked out.

Every animal documentary that we’ve ever watched and marveled at–only you get it.

How you take me to look at puppies when I’m sad.

Every fourth of July with you–even the ones that were really hard.

Watching (and yelling at) The Bachelor with you.

Naps on our couch(es).

Christmas Hallmark movie marathons.

Our guessing games of figuring out who our kids would grow up to be and if we’d have a boy or girl first and how many we’d have.

Praying with you.

You reading the children’s bible stories to me.

The day we found out we were pregnant.

The day we found out our one little embryo split and we were having twins.

Every storm you ever calmed in me.

Family vacations with you. Our first time in Vegas. The bidet! Our amazing view. The best nap of all time. You, me and Siah killing it at Deal or No Deal while the adults gambled.

The best worst vacation ever in Hawaii. Zip lining and seeing you experience everything. The three seconds I was on the surf board before biffing and spraining my ankle on day three. When you realized there was a dead moth in your shoe that you’d been walking on all day. You carrying me across the island. The BBQ we had on the Road to Hana.

Disney World with the babies. You finally getting to ride Peter Pan, the Matterhorn, and Everest with me for the first time. Just watching you enjoy and experience it all for the first time. Animal Kingdom in general–being able to have an animal fanatic by my side marveling at all of it. Walking around Epcot with you and my family.

Arcad-ing with you. Watching you do the claw machines and the block game. You winning me all the prizes and helping me decide what to get at the end.

Going to the animal sanctuary with you and dreaming up our own animal rescue once we win the lottery.

All of the days only you could keep me together when I was heartbroken over not being able to give you a child.

Finally being able to decorate the spare bedroom as a nursery.

You coming with me to craft shows even though you hated it and out-selling me every time.

Every time I left toe prints on your window.

The first time you felt each of our babies kick.

All the shows we’ve binged together. How you hate watching the final episode in any show we watch because you don’t want it to end.

Our pillow talks that still can last for hours.

Every time we read each others’ minds.

Our car dances–which incidentally will come in very handy when we want to embarrass our children.

More recently, when my feet started swelling.

How you fall asleep holding my belly even though it’s not very comfortable.

I never want us to forget that before these babies, there was you and me. Just two kids growing up together–exploring life, falling down and getting back up. Before the love we have for these little ones, there was the great love we’ve built together. I absolutely cannot wait for this next part of our lives together, but, God, what we’ve had so far has been so beautiful. I’m so grateful for our days spent as the two of us. It was the time my heart needed–truly.

I love you more than you could possibly know, my husband, my friend, and the soon to be father to my babies.

XOXO