This past weekend we celebrated our 10th anniversary. Thirteen years together, 10 years married. Every Holiday and anniversary that passes, Julian goes to great lengths to tell me what a great mom and wife I am. He constantly tells me in our every day life that I’m the best mom for Gage and Quinn. And this past weekend was no exception. He planned an elaborate trip down memory lane, being chauffeured to each of the spots that were important to our life as a couple…where we met, our first date, a favorite restaurant and ending up where we were married. As we walked in, the first song we danced to as a married couple was playing over the speakers. Sweet man, that Julian.

Yes, those are important reasons why I think he is a great husband, but more so, he transfers those same sentiments and feelings to Gage and Quinn. He’s really there for them. One of the reasons he decided to join me in the business was the fact that he was traveling so much. So, for over three years now, he’s a part of the everyday life at home. Sometimes I’m sure he misses being a million miler on Delta, and the quietness of a hotel room with no "To Do" list, or being able to focus on one thing at a time. But what he gets is time with us. And almost any day of the week, Julian can be seen waking Quinn from her afternoon nap or playing with kids well before other commuters are home, taking care of the evening and next morning meds and doing the regular evening rituals. He relishes in it actually…the act of doing for his kids.

Although Julian would love for Gage to love sports and want to play them all the time (what dad wouldn’t?)…Julian is content watching his son in the yard pick leaves of different colors for me, or get excited when Gage masters a new skill on the swing set. He’s also not afraid to foster in Quinn what might be considered a challenge for her by her therapists. The girl wants to play soccer. And although she is still wobbly on the feet, he doesn’t care; he rolls the soccer ball to her in a way for her to be successful.

Julian coached Gage’s soccer team for two seasons, and had fun doing it. I can’t add up the times that Gage actually played in practice or a game to one hour. But Julian didn’t care. And as I watched him cheer all of the kids on, praise their talents, comfort them when they were upset, I thought that I didn’t know it at the time I married him, but the gentle parenting spirit he has was one big reason.

It was a lucky day that I met this man.

Julia