This is my favorite picture of Todd. This is the REAL Todd. If ever there was a picture that captured the purity of the soul, it's this one. And I find that appropriate because with Todd, what you see is what you get. He is one of the most genuine, unpretentious people I know.
Wait... oops, I said real, right? Well don't let this picture fool you...
...or this picture.
Todd DOES NOT like to dress up. He likes to be himself. If he is ever seen about town as Elvis or a pirate, it is usually because I have coerced him into it.
Todd does not like attention. Not even positive attention. He gets embarrassed. He doesn't mind recognition, but attention is totally different.
He likes to be recognized for being funny, but by that I mean that he likes you to laugh at his jokes, but if you were to tell him, "You're really funny," he might be embarrassed, because the latter is attention and the former is recognition.
Todd is a lot of fun to hang out with. I am glad that if I couldn't have kids I couldn't have kids with Todd. I never get sick of him. Every Monday, I miss him because I had to him to myself the whole weekend.
That being said, Todd is really good with kids. He would make the BEST dad. He is silly and he makes up really good songs.
Wait, he can be tender, too.
Awww... He loves his nieces and nephews. I have loads of photos of him with the chlins', but my computer illiteracy prevents me from posting them.
Which brings me to things that Todd is good at:
Computers
Problem solving and figuring things out
He's way handy (he can fix just about anything)
Singing (and making up songs)
Making people laugh
Cooking meat (BBQ)
Gardening
Making his wife happy (and making her laugh out loud on a daily, nay, hourly, basis)
Here are some things Todd likes:
Corn dogs
Coleslaw
Fishing
Camping and the Great Outdoors
The smell of warm pine needles and mountain air
Humoring his wife
Kissing (his wife)
I feel very proud of Todd. I will try to recognize him for the following and try to NOT embarrass him...
Todd has done some really hard things. He has started a company. He got his MBA. He has held scary callings at church. I am convinced that his capacity for growth is endless. There is nothing he can't take on and conquer. And that brings me to another really good quality: he is a superhero. He IS unbreakable.
I can trust Todd. I know he will always choose the right thing to do. I don't have to worry too much about what he does or who he hangs around with when he travels. Todd is the kind of person other people want to be good for.
I know, this is getting embarrassing.
But I love Todd for so many reasons! I have to share, to celebrate him! He is the BEST husband and the BEST partner. Did you know that he has NEVER, in 10 years of marriage, ever said anything on purpose to hurt my feelings? He refrains. That's important. I know that when I am being bratty or PMS-y he could verbally jab me, but he never has. He never uses a "tone" with me or hurts me to "put me in my place." Even if it is deserved. I can "confess" anything to Todd and be totally honest with him because I know he is on my team. (Like the time I accidentally spent $250 on some silk fabric... it truly was an accident.)
I really don't prescribe to the notion that there is one true match for any individual. Actually, maybe I do because I always say "there is a lid for every pot." But really I just mean that about weird people. But Todd is the only one for me. I knew it the very first time we kissed. I know... that's so romantic, and I am not generally a romantic, I am a pragmatist, but the actuality is that I knew I wanted Todd forever. Who wouldn't?
So that's why I am glad that he was born. There is no one on the face of the whole wide world that I would rather be with forever.
Happy birthday, Tood, Shmoopy, Buddy, Sugar Plum, Sweetheart, Friend.
20 comments:
Wow. That's a lot to live up to. Guess I should get started. I love you baby--even if you do embarrass me (in a good way).
that was beautiful. sigh.
I think I love Todd, too, now. ;)
Whoa, now I am in love with Todd too. Happy Birthday, man.
I'm sold! I want to be Todd's friend, though I'll come just short of falling in love.
Lucky you! Happy Birthday Todd!
Well... while Tyler is watching someone make a tractor run with pig fat I'm sitting next to him bawling like a baby. I love this post. I love Todd. I'm so happy he's my brother-in-law. And he really is funny. I promise I won't tell him but I know I will always want to laugh at his jokes. Also, something you didn't mention on this post that he's really good at: He's a really really good brother. Really, he is one of Tyler's best friend and that's a great thing to have, a best friend and a brother in one. Thanks for the person you are Todd!
almost though pursuadest me to love todd too,..but alas. I love Dan more. But only just barely after reading this post. Happy Birthday Todd and I knew some of those things that Carrie Loves about you already. :)
Can I get a Todd doll??
Do they make Todd t-shirts or key rings??
How I love how you love him.
Happy day Todd.
I feel I know you so much better now.
Congrats on being sooo, sooo RAD.
Happy belated birthday to Todd! He is a wonderful person! Even his French jokes CAN be funny! Ah! Ah!
Oh! How sweet! I like him. I like him for you. And that picture of the squash on his head??!? Best thing I've ever seen. Also, I hope he ate that baby.
I would also like to point out that Todd squeegees the shower without being asked. Like a trained monkey he is.
AND he squeegees the SHOWER? I want my own trained-monkey-Todd. :)
Katy, I would buy a Todd t-shirt. Seriously. I'm a fan.
Carrie, you are one lucky lady. I love that picture of Todd, too. He is one of my favorites. Shhhh, don't tell the other in-laws!
Oops.
Here, here! (Except for the kissing and such.) I LOVE YOU TODD! Todd is so easy, and I don't mean slutty. He is easy to be with and easy to love and has no angles. He's very good, and I'm so happy he is part of our family. You are a lucky girl, you. Hang on to this one!
What can I say after all that the others have said? I knew Todd was good but I didn't know he was THAT good! I suspected it though. You two are our favorites to double date with because you are both so fun. And we really really REALLY miss Todd's BBQ and homemade ice cream. And I love what Abby said, He has no angles. That is true. I think you are both very lucky and blessed to have each other. We love Todd too. I would wear a Todd T shirt, fer shure!
I really liked your post, Carrie. You guys are a great couple. I was over in Daybreak yesterday for the parade of homes and when I saw yellow townhomes I was guessing if one of them was yours. I would love to come see you sometime. And I think Katharine is taking a class from you this semester!
oh...this made me laugh and cry. Miss you guys! We love Todd too.
What a post!! We love Todd too...I loved that the girls were stuck like glue to him while we were there and he didn't even flinch that they were in his personal space, constantly!!! and that he was so willing to give blessings to people barfing all over his house and still be sensitive enough for a little hand squeeze to let me know that I was watched out for even when my husband wasn't there. I love Todd!!! Happy Birthday, very late.
A fitting tribute to a great man. I love you, too, Todd. Come to Sweden and we'll go fishing (if I can find a boat with a captain and fishing pole!)
I like Todd too. Maybe not as much as you, but a lot. He's cute.
so, does he have a brother?!??? loved the post!! want him to have a brother. i need someone who will make me laugh. and miss carrie, we need to get together. i have the ncidq coming up and am in no position to hang out until october. i will find you and make a plan.
hugs,
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