the husband book

when i was thirteen, i opened up a blank notebook and wrote MY HUSBAND at the top of the first page with a sparkly silver pen, then added a cute little star on each side of the letters. and i started listing.

i was a very melodramatic teenager (aren't you shocked?!), and all through high school i was tremendously lovesick. i spent quite a bit of energy scheming up romantic scenarios in my mind, daydreaming of kisses in the rain, and listing ridiculous musings in my "husband book."

{i had to blur out some names of specific boys in this picture - haha!}

and by the time graduation came, i had a tattered notebook full of 897 qualities i wanted in a future spouse.

i have to say, some of the things listed, even from the youngest years, are pretty significant and profound. but a lot of them are so silly:
10 - puts stars in my eyes every time i see him
60 - tells me i smell good
119 - doesn't really flirt with other girls
132 - takes my breath away
192 - not shy to be cute with me
281 - humble even though he is extremely good looking
309 - has a soothing, sexy voice
448 - dimples would be a plus
490 - is cute when he sleeps
566 - buys lemonade from kids on street corners
612 - soft hands (not sweaty)
738 - i want to hang out with him like everyday
800 - gets jealous
893 - will cuddle with me anytime



i also wrote letters to my future husband and listed ideas for my wedding in the same book. and, i'm not going to lie, my contributions to the husband book did not end after high school. every year or so i've gone back and written down things i've learned from relationships and from life about what i really want and need in a spouse (after taking a few minutes to giggle at the things i listed when i was younger).

a few years ago, i realized that despite the fact that i'd topped a thousand characteristics and attributes in my husband book, i actually only have three things on my real list.

to be continued...