This is a week Middle Tennessee will remember for a LONG time! We’ve been covered in a lot of ice and a little snow all week. The girls have been out of school, JD has been home, and we’ve made the very best of this crazy weather! I’ve bundled up for beauty hunting and will share those photos soon, but today…
…we’re interrupting this crazy snow week to celebrate the man who keeps this farm running! John David Hasenbank, YOU ARE AMAZING! You’re the farmboy, the gourmet chef, the animal whisperer, the bush hogger, the tree trimmer, the coop builder, the fire builder, the log chopper, the dreamer, the visionary, the make things happen guy, and so much more.
You are both incredibly strong and increasingly tender hearted. {Two qualities I admire together more than you know.} You are the reason we chased our dream and the reason why we haven’t given up through all the hard, messy, no clue what we’re doing days. You are the first to ask forgiveness in our family, and the first to melt and comfort us with a big bear hug.
You’ve humbly submitted yourself to more help in the last few years than most men do in a lifetime. I’m so proud of you for unpacking your story and for learning that new ways of relating and reacting are always possible. You are one of the bravest men I know. Make that, one of the bravest people I know. You’ve led our family into a whole new level of healing and freedom and have shown us that there is more beauty in brokenness than we ever could’ve imagined! {You’ve never let the brokenness steal the beauty.}
Life hurts sometimes, and it feels like you’ve experienced more than your fair share. {Though I’ve never once heard you complain.} BUT GOD…He is redeeming every broken place into the most beautiful, new story! You’re a walking miracle, a fighter, a servant, a leader, a follower, a healer, an encourager, an overcomer! Your life gives your Heavenly Father so much glory! Your hope, your faith, the way you seek Him, listen to Him and trust Him, the time you spend with Him, the way you want to give Him all the glory…YOU ARE A GOOD SON! {Your Heavenly Father says so!}
We’ve had our hard seasons together…especially since moving. But I’ve always known that the man who asked me to marry him in such a sweet and thoughtful way 18 years ago had so much more in him than he could see…and even more than I could see. BUT GOD…He has seen you all along. He has seen who you really are, Braveheart. And He LOVES who you are!
Happy Birthday to the one I respect and admire.*
* Did you know this is what a man really wants to hear? Even more than I love you? I had no idea until I read Love and Respect. An eye opener for sure!
P.S. We’re in the middle of what we call “The Birthday Season” in our family. All of ours are very close together, which means we’ve hardly finished celebrating one before it’s time to move on to another. But one thing I love about the way we do birthdays is how special we make each person feel, and everyone pitches in. It’s going to be a great night…snow, ice, single digits and all!
Amy - Happy Birthday to your sweet husband. What a wonderful post you shared in honor of him. I loved, truly loved, reading your life giving words. My friend, you speak into my heart. Do you realize that? I love you.
adrienne - Beautiful post!!!
Lulu - A good husband, a good father, a good son-in-law….JD is all of those things and we are lucky to have him as part of our family. What are those cute little chocolates LF is making?
chrissi - happy birthday! what a lovely tribute to your sweet man. you two complete each other.
Amy E - Happy Birthday to your wonderful helpmate! What an amazing post…it prompted some tears from me, as it reminds me of how I feel for my own hubby. And that second image, of your big burly husband, loving on his big burly dog, and him loving back…it says everything!
Sandy - What a beautiful post. Wishing all good things for J.D., you and your family. Have a lovely celebration!
Jennifer - What a lovely post. Happy Birthday to him!
beverly - Moving to Tennesse has been life-changing for our family too which makes me a little sad that I wasn’t too happy about my husband’s career move at the time. Little did either of us know that a change of address was God’s plan for us to have a change of hearts also. We can see that very clearly now.
Blessings to you and your family.
Bravehearted Beauty - I’m with you! Didn’t imagine that a change of address would lead to a change of heart. I just thought we were chasing a dream and off to live a happy life on a farm! But God…He’s always up to so much more than we can ask or imagine!