I appreciate, Lauren…

that we can look at each other, not say a word, and know exactly what the other is thinking.

our inside jokes. (The bra is on the cow’s head.)

the Dollhouse, Buffy, and everything else marathons.

how awesome of a writer you are.

your sense of humor. (Gubba.)

that you are my little sister.

your (stubborn) determination to do well in school and to not miss school (even when you’re sick).

when you listen to me rant and rave about the same stuff, over and over again, as if you’re hearing it for the first time.

when you remind me that I’ve already bitched about something and tell me you don’t want to hear it anymore.

that you have welcomed Michael as a part of the family and love him almost as much as I do.

the ginormous purses you wear, buy, and barely use.

our differences, in music, men, food, etc.

the things we have in common.

how good you are with Katarina, even though you insist you don’t like kids.

when you stick up for me, even when we both know I’m wrong.

that you understand everything, even if you’ve never experienced it.

that I can tell you anything without being afraid of being judged.

You’re my best girl friend. I love you.

I appreciate, Aunt Wendy…

the afghan that you made me.

how strong you are.

how far you have come and how far you will continue to go in life.

that you turned your experiences into a positive thing by reaching out and helping people going through similar things.

the way you laugh when something is funny; it’s contagious and makes me want to laugh, too.

your giving spirit.

I love you and am so glad you are back in my life.

I appreciate, Mike…

Mike and I, summer 2009

Mike and I, summer 2009

that you came over that night after working a long ass shift because I needed you, even though you didn’t know why.

when you kiss my forehead or the tip of my nose.

the way you can make me smile, even when there is nothing to smile about.

the way you laugh when you’ve said something funny.

how you will do things like run errands, shop for groceries, and clean the house for your mom, without so much as one complaint.

how good you are with kids. You will be an awesome uncle to Robbie’s daughter, and an awesome father when the time comes.

the way you treat my family, with kindness and respect. You will be the best -in-law ever known to this planet.

that you can play any video game, beat it within a few days, and then play it again just for the Xbox Achievements.

your imagination. You should seriously write a book or screenplay.

your sense of humor and hilarious rants. Start a blog. Please. So I can pimp your awesomeness off to my bloggy friends.

when you hold me close, without saying any words.

that you refuse to shave your beard or trim your hair during the NFL season, because it will bring bad luck to our team.

that you wear the same uniform every game day, because if you don’t, it will bring back luck to our team.

the awesome cheesecake you make at random.

the mean NY Strip that you made a few months ago. I’m still craving it.

how good you are with your little brother.

the endless love and support that you give me, no matter what I choose to do or how many times I change my mind.

that you gave me such a hard time when we first started dating; you are worth every time I banged my head into the wall with frustration.

your random food cravings, both when they complement my random cravings and when they are the complete opposite of what I want.

your taste in music.

that you retain so much knowledge and share it with me, whether I care or not. It’s provided me a never ending learning opportunity.

the way you stubbornly refuse to be anything but who you are, and don’t care what people think.

when you hold my hand while driving.

when you tell me I am your life. You’re mine, too.

how you tell me over and over that you love me.

I love you, bearded man.

(Stolen from Britt. I’m going to do as many of these as possible this weekend.)