Saturday, March 10, 2012

She Doesn't Know

Many of you probably already know what a darling Lauren is.  Or at least you might think you know.  But I doubt you know the full extent of how selfless Lauren is.  She is the most thoughtful, tender, sweet, hard-working woman I have met.  Day in and day out all her energy goes toward something productive and fruitful.  While I sometimes sneak in some ridiculous cell phone gaming between homework and bed (literally a few minutes worth), Lauren is preparing for the next day, whether it be making lunches, checking up on assignment due later in the week, tidying up, or any other productive thing you can think of.  She's a great example to me of always being engaged in a good cause.  There are several things that have been particularly impressive about Lauren that you should know.

1.  She is a tremendous student.  Lauren consistently is getting the highest score or one of the top scores on all of her exams.  She makes note cards by the dozen and devours the information in a night. Even when her brain hurts she keeps working hard and doing her best to prepare for tests, assignments, and projects.  



2.  She is tough.  You might think that isn't the greatest characteristic for a woman to have, but in my book it's one of the most important.  Lauren is ready to work through it all!  The thick and the thin.  She buckles down, when things get hard, she doesn't try to go over it, she doesn't try to go around it, she goes through it.  One fine example is how hard she pushes herself when she exercises.  Having participated in sports for almost two decades of my life, I have great respect for people who can push their body into situations that aren't comfortable and then keep pushing.  Lauren does that.  For heaven's sake she trained for a marathon by herself, outside, in the winter, in Provo, Utah!  Sheesh!  You know, it has been said about Lauren that she'll be great for the gene pool, and having seen her toughness, mentally and physically, there's no doubt about it!



3.  She is unbelievably thoughtful.  Lauren is so kind and her actions show it.  Whether it be an awesome valentines day surprise, a love note, planning for a vacation and much more she is always so caring.  For example, Lauren made a book.  Not just any book, but a book containing all the little fun things we've done, seen, written for the past year.  I know it took a great amount of time and detail to complete, and I had no idea she'd been working on it until the day she showed it to me.  Those are the kind of gifts that will last a lifetime and even stretch through time so that our children and grandchildren can know how we met, what we liked to do, what we looked like when we were young and hip, and what was important to us.  



4.  She is really good.  Lauren is a righteous woman.  She doesn't just read, but studies the gospel.  She gets excited about learning new things in the scriptures and tells me all about what she's learned.  She's is a wonderful co-teacher in the dating class and the ward loves her.  She remembers to say her prayers every night and reminds me on those most tired nights, "honey....we need to say our prayers."  She enjoys her new visiting teaching calling and companion and is a fantastic role model for the sisters in our ward.  They are so lucky to have her as a friend and mentor.  



5.  Last, but certainly not least, Lauren is beautiful.  Whether her hair is short or long, straight or curly, make up or none, sweaty or clean, she is a gorgeous girl.  Very fit, but not scary fit, has smooth unblemished skin, a smile that'll melt all your cares or worries away, and eyes that are very kind.  She is kind.  What a tremendous blessing it is to be married to someone who is kind.  Some of the best advice I ever got concerning marriage came from my crazy mid-twenties-aged wrestling coach was, "Be kind."  Easy to say, but sometimes hard to consistently do.  Lauren is good at being kind.  And she gets better at it every day!



I am lucky be married to such a wonderful girl, and those of you who know her/are related to her are lucky, too.  She is the greatest blessing in my life, and I hope I can make her feel like that every day.

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