My Sweetheart for 15 Years

Valentine's Day 1994 Valentine's Day 2009

• Lloyd has been my sweetheart for 15 years now. Life is different than it was 15 years ago. We're a bit older. We have five kids. Life is busier. However, the reasons I fell in love with Lloyd 15 years ago are the same reasons I love him today. In honor of our 15 years of being valentines to each other, here are 15 reasons I love Lloyd.

• 1- He is righteous. I always knew I would marry someone who would take me to the temple. After almost 15 years of marriage, Lloyd is still strives daily to keep the Lord's commandments. He honors his priesthood and uses it to bless others. He diligently serves in his calling. He is an example to me in his personal scripture study and family history. I am so blessed to be married to such a righteous husband.

• 2- Lloyd is a hard worker. When Ii first met him he was in the Navy and lived on a ship. He was often out to sea for up to six months at a time. Military life was hard, but Lloyd rarely complained and was dutiful in completing his assignments. I always knew Loyd would work hard to provide for our family. After he got out of the military, he began working on his BA degree. He stayed at home with Courtney and went to school in the evenings. After four years of hard work, he earned his degree. We were so blessed when he got his job at SFO. Lloyd never complains about staying up all night long at work. He works 8 hours five days a week, and commutes around 20 hours a week. He truly is amazing and sacrifices so much for our family.

• 3- Lloyd is romantic and thoughtful. He will often leave me love notes or little treats. One time he hid five little love cards randomly throughout the house. When I found all the cards, he told me I would get a special treat. He then took me out for a romantic dinner. I loved the love letters he wrote to me while he was in the military and I still love reading his love letters today. A day never goes by without Lloyd telling me he loves me.

• 4- Lloyd is affectionate. He loves to hold my hand, hug me, and kiss me. The first time Lloyd kissed me I actually leaned away. We like to laugh about that. Even now I sometimes give him a hard time when I'm in the middle of something and he wants to hug me. Yes, I probably do act like he's annoying me, but I secretly love and adore how affectionate he is. Showing affection is definitely a way Lloyd demonstrates his love.

1. 5- Lloyd is humble. He never brags about anything he does. He is secure with himself and doesn't try to impress other people. He is teachable and avoids confrontation.

• 6- Lloyd is forgiving. He doesn't remember or remind me about all the mistakes I've made. He is always quick to apologize.

• 7-Lloyd is handsome. I have always been attracted to tall guys so it wasn't a surprise to me that I married one. Lloyd's beautiful blue eyes were the first thing I noticed about him. I also love his smile and when he winks at me. I love that Lloyd is as he says "a big guy." Thankfully, I never have to worry about weighing more than him, even when I was pregnant.

• 8- Lloyd is a fantastic father. Honestly, I didn't really see Lloyd with kids too much before we got married so I didn't really know how he would be. He is truly an amazing father. He was wonderful when he stayed home for five years while I worked. Courtney is still a Daddy's girl because Lloyd was her primary caretaker from the time she was six weeks old. Lloyd loves to play with the kids, encourage them, support them in their activities, and teach them about the gospel. I couldn't have wished for a better father to my children.

• 9- Lloyd helps a lot around the house. I kinda sensed that he would be this way before we got married. He willingly helped my family with odd jobs (a newspaper route, cleaning a dentist office) before we were married. Now he helps me so much when he can. He hates when our white tile floor gets really dirty. Instead of complaining to me about it, he will just clean it. He daily helps with dishes and meal preparation. He does enjoy cooking. One time he arranged for someone to come clean our bathrooms while we were out on a date. It was the most amazing surprise; I cried when I found out.

• 10- Lloyd is sensitive. I'll admit to having fragile feelings and being moody. Of course, this is always more true when I was pregnant. Lloyd is always sensitive and understanding to my moods. He does everything he can to make me happy. He will let me take a nap, get a break from the kids, or cheer me up with a kind word. I am so grateful for Lloyd's caring and sensitive nature.

• 11- Lloyd is supportive. He supports me in all me endeavors. He supported me when I was getting my Masters degrees, when I trained for marathons, when I was the Relief Society President, when I have a Girl Scout activity, when I want to go on a Girls Night Out, or when I want to go scrapbooking. I love that Lloyd knows these things were important to me and he cheered me on when I needed it.

• 12- Lloyd is fun. We love to watch comedies together and laugh together. We loved when we went on a cruise 10 years ago- we were in a dance contest and on a newlywed game show. We love to laugh at the funny things our kids do. I love going on dates with Lloyd and having fun with him.

• 13- Lloyd is talented. He knows how to figure things out on the computer that I don't have a clue about. He likes to play basketball (but he won't admit to be any good at it). Lloyd is great at taking and making family videos. He is a good driver and always drives because I don't like to. He is diligent about reading the newspaper and knows what's going on. He is great at taking care of our pool. If he had more time, he would like to do more gardening and home improvement. He would also like to do more backpacking.

• 14- Lloyd loves me unconditionally. Believe or not, I am not always the most lovable person. Lloyd knows all my shortcomings, but still loves me. I still remember the first day Lloyd said he loved me. It was October 2, 1992. I was so overjoyed and on cloud nine. I love Lloyd because he loves me for the person I am.

• 15- Lloyd is mine. As a girl growing up, I always wondered who my husband would be. I never dreamed I would marry someone as wonderful as Lloyd. He told me before we got married that he would treat me like a queen and he does! He really is a perfect match for me. I love and have always love married life. I really can't imagine spending my life and eternity with anyone else.