Last Thursday we celebrated John’s 31st birthday, and the West Elm team in Houston made him an incredibly clever DIY-style cake that perfectly suited his tastes. It was adorable and totally on theme.

Every year we share what we gifted one another, and this year John is getting a nail gun (he’s picking the exact model, so more on that later). I don’t have the usual photos of him holding presents like in past years, so instead I wanted to write a little note about seven things I love about John. Consider this my Tuesday afternoon brain dump and a public thank-you for being such a great partner.

We aren’t perfect and we definitely argue sometimes, but I’m so grateful he’s in my life. Here are the things that make me feel lucky to be his partner:

1 – John’s love for Clara and his patience with her – He’s my anchor on the rough days. His imagination and playfulness with her are the sweetest things to watch. Whether he’s building a play kitchen or crafting a wooden sandwich for an afternoon of pretend, he’s present and engaged. Seeing him create and play with Clara never fails to warm my heart.

2 – How he adores our little chihuahua – At first he joked that Burger “looked like an alien” and acted like the dog would be my responsibility, but it didn’t take long for Burger to win him over. John isn’t constrained by outdated ideas of what’s masculine; he’ll happily walk the tiny dog, handle errands that might feel awkward, and take care of whatever needs doing. That humble, practical kindness is one of the many things I appreciate about him.

3 – He made the first move – People who know us are often surprised because I’m the more outgoing one, but John kissed me first. He’s both shy and decisive in a way that’s really appealing. Little details—his love of old wooden boxes, the gleam in his eye when he gets a new tool, the way he dresses—add up to a style that’s quietly confident and very attractive.

4 – His mind and his sense of humor – John’s quick wit and intelligence are endlessly entertaining. He makes me laugh until my sides hurt, and his ability to explain things without making me feel out of the loop is such a rare gift. He’s got an impressive knowledge base and a playful way of sharing it that makes problem-solving feel collaborative rather than one-sided.

5 – His devotion to our family – He makes us feel safe, loved, and valued. I’ve had relationships in the past where the effort felt uneven, but with John there’s a sense of mutual care and steadiness that feels profound. He shows up for us in ways big and small, and that reliability is something I cherish.

6 – His hands and his smile – There’s something irresistible about his calloused, project-weathered hands and that easy, warm smile. He’s a fixer, a builder, and his physical presence carries a sweet, reassuring quality that makes home feel like home.

7 – His willingness to help with “one more thing” – Even when he could be relaxing or doing something else, he’s happy to sit with me and brainstorm the next project, help execute an idea, or dive into the nitty-gritty of a long checklist. He balances pursuing his own interests—like running—and staying involved in family life, and that kind of partnership makes everything easier.

I love that John is hands-on and curious. He taught himself how to tackle projects, from building a deck to putting together a dollhouse for Clara, and he even helps maintain our website. He doesn’t shy away from learning new skills, and he’s not afraid to offer opinions on decorating or to get involved with the “girly” parts of house projects. He treats our life and home as a shared endeavor, which makes our house feel like a true reflection of both of us.

In short: he’s the one. He makes me happier than I ever expected and he brings such a steady, joyful energy to our family. Happy 31st birthday, John—thank you for everything.

So that’s my love note to my husband. What are you grateful for this week? Any birthdays or special moments happening at your place?