his uncle makes saddles

 I'm trying to find the words I want to write

to help you feel happy about my husband, about knowing there are people like him, about the fact that you have or will have people like him in your life, too.

it probably shouldn't matter to you. but it could. 

if it mattered to you (that there are people like my husband) it would be because

He really loves his parents 

who have made some big big mistakes that have hurt him 

a lot.

he doesn't hold it against them. he loves them and helps me love them.

it would matter to you because

we live in a place and some people aren't proud of it anymore

but he is,

he wants to do anything and everything he can to protect this country

and the people living in it.

even if he doesn't know you.

does that matter to you?

that someone wants to leave his family for a little while, repeatedly, to help protect you (who he doesn't know)? Put his life on the line, for you and for your freedom?

it could matter to you 

that he is humble and humble

and relentlessly good

he apologizes and tries to learn as he messes up.

he's gone through a lot to fix those mess-ups, because 

what God wants is more important to him

than anything else.

And he thinks God wants him to be humble and kind and to love his family.

does that matter to you?

does it matter to you that you could trust him to do what is right no matter the consequence? 

how about that he would seek to know if he was wrong, so that he could make it right?

that he would put you, and his family relationships, as his top priority?

does it matter to you that when he laughs his whole face becomes smiles wrinkles and creases,

that he loves his sisters and tells them they're beautiful and watches their backs,

that his brother is his best friend and 

that he accepts people, and loves them, and that this actually helps them become better, no matter how they've messed up?

probably not. 

it matters

 to me

that he is one extraordinary person 

out of many,

he is one person with so many hurts and flaws and rough edges and maybe those

make his goodness more sincere.

It matters to me

that there are many people who are like him

and I hope they are in your homes

and I hope you notice them and

I hope they notice you

and I hope you give them time and love and a listening ear,

I hope you know you're one of them.

...

As much as my husband matters to me

you matter to someone else,

probably to many someones.

keep going,

be humble

be kind

be good,

it matters

.