Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Birfday Bidness

As you guys might know, last Thursday was John’s 31st birthday and West Elm in Houston whipped up this amaaaaaazingly DIY-riffic cake for him. #edibletapemeasure #umyeahtheressawdust

John Cake

Every year we write birthday posts about what we got each other and this year John actually got (well, is getting, since I’m letting him pick it out) a nail gun (more info on that when we get it). So because I don’t have photos of him holding up various presents like we’ve shared in former years like this post from last year) I thought I’d over-share slash cheese it up on a Tuesday afternoon with a little brain dump of seven things I love about John (surprise, honey!). #warningitssappy

After all, this is definitely a week for being grateful. And since this whole blog is basically just a diary of our lives, I thought it was about time that I shouted a few cheeseball-but-true things from the rooftops. Which is not to say that we never fight (if you believe that I have a talking ceramic animal to sell you) but although we’re far from perfect, I’m so glad he’s mine. Here’s what I’m thankful for:

1 – John’s love of Clara and his patience with her – even when I’m about to lose my mind he’s my rock. I love how imaginative he is with her and I don’t think there’s anything sexier than walking into a room and seeing your hubby whipping up a wooden sandwich with your daughter at her play kitchen that he built for her. Or lazing around wearing matching shirts and discussing the merits of a table saw versus a hand saw. Am I right?

John Clara Match

2 – His ability to love a small chihuahua just as much as I do… even though when we adopted Burger John said he “looked like an alien” and acted like the dog would be my thing. I think by that weekend Burger had him whipped. And that, my friends, is a guy who is comfortable with his dude-dom. I’m telling you, walking a tiny dog is the sign of a real man (it might be a good test of marriage material to those still dating… will he man up and take the leash…?). There’s not an ounce of I-won’t-do-that-because-it’s-not-manly-enough-and people-will-see-me in John (probably thanks to him growing up with three sisters) and I love that about him. He’s confident. He doesn’t look around sheepishly. If the dog needs to go out, he takes him out. If I need lady-items from the supermarket and he’s doing the shopping, he buys them for me. I won’t say he doesn’t blush and hide them in the bottom of the cart, but he gets things done. And I love it.

John Burger

3 – That he kissed me first. Anyone who knows us loves this tidbit since I’m the loud outgoing one and they picture me pouncing on him… which also happens – but he pounced first. Yup, he’s a man of action. And he’s shy but confident, which might be the perfect combo. Plus I gotta say that I love the way he dresses. Some girls are into giant built guys who can scarf serious quantities of beef jerky, but I couldn’t be more into tall, dork, and handsome. Basically when John threw on this shirt with this sweater a few months ago, I swooned. It’s little things like his love of old wooden boxes or his excitement to fire up a new tool (he gets a gleam in his eye like a kid opening a new toy) that get me all giddy. It’s like his excitement is contagious. All of this rambling is to say: dude’s got style.

John Dresses

4 – His brain. There are many sexy things about my husband, but his quick wit is unparalleled and he makes me laugh until my stomach hurts at least once a day with some spur-of-the-moment quip that leaves me wiping the tears out of my eyes from cry-laughing. To anyone who knows us, John’s sense of humor is one of his most defining characteristics (along with his whip smart brain full of seemingly limitless trivia knowledge). Heck, he’s so smart that even though he has the answer 99% of the time (be it DIY or life related) he somehow makes me feel like I figure out my fair share of things too. How does he do that?! It’s sheer brilliance. Also he looks pretty darn good in pumpkin sunglasses. Just sayin’.

John Glasses

5 – His devotion to me and our family. He makes us feel safe, loved, and appreciated – I honestly couldn’t be more grateful. I’ve had relationships in the past that felt like I was chasing that person more or trying harder than them, but John makes me (and Clara) feel secure and cherished and I could almost cry talking about it. Sorry, I warned you guys this would get sappy…

John Clara Drinking

6 – His calloused project-loving hands and his sweet smile (this might veer off into TMI territory, but he has the best lips ever). #backoffhesmine #putabirdonhim

John Bird Smile

7 – His willingness to help me with “one more thing” and to lay in bed at night and brainstorm our next project when I know he might rather be watching TV or out for a run or… you know, getting friendly… while I’m running my mouth about some idea instead. I couldn’t be luckier that he’s happy to be “in the trenches” with me every day. It’s amazing that he has his own interests (he can train and run a half marathon) while still staying involved with us and not checking out.

John Race

I think some folks might question what kind of man runs a DIY blog with his wife about paint and fabric and family and my answer is: a real man. I love that he can build Clara a dollhouse and code our entire website and has even built a deck for our family – although he has no background in any of that stuff. He figures things out as he goes and he’s not afraid to jump in and learn new things. And I love that he’s not scared to weigh in on my hair-brained decorating sprees instead of saying “you handle the girly stuff and I’ll stick to the power tools.” He truly makes me feel like we’re a team and we’re in it together and as a result our house feels like us. I honestly have no idea how I got so lucky. I promise I didn’t hypnotize him or anything.

In summary: he’s the one. Mah man. And he makes me happier than bees riding bicycles (and those make me pretty happy). Happy 31st birthday, babe! Thanks for everything and then some.

John Fam Pic

And so ends my lovefest for el hubbo. What are you guys grateful for? Any birthdays going on in your house? Who’s getting what?

UPDATE: John discovered the post! Finally! After doing a project in the basement, uploading photos, and editing a video (all while I sweated profusely at the computer). Here’s his reaction.

Psst- Want more lovey-dovey posts? We have a bunch of them here. And for those wondering how we resolve decorating disputes, here’s a post about that for ya.

Comments

  2. Jessica G says

    This is the cutest ever. Honored to share a birthday with John…and I got a vintage buffet & its matching tv stand…which we sat together to make one long console buffet…and we’re using Ana White’s plans to build floating shelves above it so you, in part, are part of my birthday present- haha. Oh…and this little book you might have heard of called Young House Love…my sister sent it last week and it arrived last Thursday!
    #greattiming
    #birthdaybuddiesrock

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

  3. Bluenoser says

    Now I’m caught up in the waiting for John to read the post. Drama on the interwebs!

    I love that you shared the mushy with us today. My husband and I have been best friends since we met in the eleventh grade. We were friends for a long time. And then, in our thirties, we fell in love. We’ve been married for three years and it’s the best thing that could ever have happened to either of us.

    We’re both geeky nerds, or nerdy geeks. He’s an absentminded scientist who it terrible at DIY around the house, but he tries his best. I love his brain and his sense of humour and just how kind he is to everyone. I don’t think he notices, but other people like being around him because he has this innate ability to make others feel good. It’s a gift, and so is he.

    Happy birthday John!

    Reply

  4. Jana says

    Totally needed to hear #5. That was my last relationship (me more into it than him) and it was no good! Its great that he is completely into you – cherish it because its hard to find!

    Reply

  7. Steph says

    You guys are the cutest! I know not everything is perfect in your life, but I’ve always loved how you guys never trash each other on the blog, not even little jabs! I can’t stand it when I’m reading a blog and there are always sarcastic comments thrown in, or worse, full on bashing. You can see how much respect you have for each other. This was so sweet, John is awesome, and deserves to have someone as awesome as you Sherry!
    Happy belated birthday, John! You’re a lucky guy :)

    Reply

  12. LauraC says

    So sweet, thanks for being a good example of a loving couple. I think it’s great you shared this. I have a pretty special guy too, and Thanksgiving week is a great time to let them know how much they are loved and appreciated. Speaking of Thanksgiving, we’re leaving in two days for Mexico!!! 8 days on the beach at Acapulco with my brother and his family. So excited! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!

    Reply

  13. Lesley says

    Happy Birthday!
    And this looks like a good time to bring up the question I was going to bring up at the Wilton CT signing but I wasn’t sure how to word it. When John decided to leave his job and come work on the blog full time, how nervous was he telling people that he was going to work on a DIY/decorating blog? What did people at his work say? His friends? Did he get ragged on?

    Now I say this with the utmost respect b/c I think it is great thta you made the leap. But everytime I tell my husband I saw it on a blog he rolls his eyes like it is a girly thing. Well I have had him read a bunch of your manly posts and the ones that you have demonstrated the Kreg jig really helped my arguement that we had to get one.

    Reply

    • Lesley says

      I should say too that my husband has a lot of these qualities he just doesn’t always want people to know that ;)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      They all knew our blog had earned us some pretty fun things (winning an international contest, getting us in magazines, etc) so being in advertising I think they all really just appreciated that two people who started out doing this whole DIY thing as a hobby could “build” a two-person company like that. The funny thing is that most guys who know John think it’s a hardcore building blog (he did chronicle the deck, the kitchen reno, a full bathroom gut job, etc). The folks at his office were mainly just sad that they couldn’t entice him to stay since he was GREAT at his job and they hated to lose him. But now that we have a book out and we’re touring and stuff they couldn’t be more excited! They post about it on FB and stuff. It’s awesome! I would just show your man how many guys do this too (John loves reading blogs like Problogger and Apartment Therapy, both of which are run by guys). That might help him see that blogging definitely isn’t only a woman’s world.

      xo
      s

  14. Alleene Smith says

    No doubt about it, Sherry, you’ve got yourself a keeper! (I’ve got one, too.) Belated Happy Birthday, John!

    Reply

  17. Anna says

    This post is really awesome. It’s heartwarming to see another couple who is really happy and committed to each other. It’s rarer than you’d think.

    Reply

  21. Kara says

    Seriously, you guys have such a great thing going. Love, life, work, family. *teary-eyed* You have achieved the ultimate American dream, version 2.0!

    I know I feel jealous (but in a totally healthy way!). What’s funny is that I even told my good friend that I needed to clone John so I can have someone like him for myself, John is TOTALLY yours! I then almost considered emailing you guys a while back to ask John to fill out an imaginary dating profile, so I can find a guy for myself that has the qualities that he’s got!!! But obviously, I didn’t. (I decided that was much better off and less-creepy-more-flattering being said in person. Which I then totally chickened out of doing when we met you at Toronto’s West Elm event.) Hah!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Bwahahahahah! I think the dating profile thing is genius! Find any amazing married man and get them to fill one out and then base your search on that! Hahah!

      xo
      s

  22. Courtney says

    I clicked the link, but I don’t see John’s response? It takes me to page 3 of the comments. I must be missing something.

    Reply

  25. foo @ foobella designs says

    Awww, I got a tear in my eye because I have a man just like that.

    And to the girls out there still looking for their man, trust me, they are out there. They are the nice guys that always finish last but deserve to finish first if you would let them. =)

    Reply

  26. jessibee says

    Love. So beautiful. I am as grateful everyday for my husband as you are for John. The never settling test is spot on!

    Reply

  27. Ryan says

    Dude! I had no idea that he was THAT great of a guy. Caring, funny, smart, good kisser AND an awesome assortment of beverage t-shirts?

    Operation Steal Sherry’s Husband commences…….NOW! :)

    Reply

  28. priscilla says

    Sherry, what a sweet love song for John to always go back to when he needs it!

    And you are so right about growing up with only sisters. My son has two sisters and when he was dating his now wife, she told me: He is so in tune about girly stuff, like when I am having a bad day he will say “Hey, I think you need to go get a pedicure or something”. Living with sisters prepares a guy to know how girls/women think. His guy friends with no sisters just don’t get it!!

    Reply

  30. Angela says

    This is the sweetest thing! I hear so many people complaining about their spouses. I love reading/hearing people love on their best friends/partners, extol their virtues, and just be kind to each other. This post made me all teary. You captured so much in your vignettes and it just oozed love and awesomeness.

    That cake looks incredible. Sawdust? Wow. Just wow.

    Reply

  32. Christina @ Floridays Mom says

    What a great post! So nice to see your love all laid out like that. He must have really appreciated it. I love your last note about him being a novice at it all in the beginning but taking his time to learn…for sure a sign of a true man. Love it. ps. that first pic of clara’s eyes looking at him cracked me up! too cute happy belated birthday john!

    Reply

  33. Vanessa says

    Wonderful!! It’s so great to see men that truly love their family and make them a priority. This was a big wk of celebrations in our family too. All in one week, it was my wonderful hubby’s bday, my daughter’s bday & our 13 yr Anniv yesterday. I am also lucky to have a man that makes us his #1 priority, is handy (cause I will admit that if he didn’t know how to use a drill I would totally think less of him!) Has some pretty cool style and most importantly…is hysterical which seems to be rubbing off on our kids. They each gave him a role of toilet paper with “reading material” written on it so he would have something to read while in the loo (yes…I went to TMI land too!) My son’s said something along the lines of “come here often?” and a joke about the browns and the orange bowl! And my daughter’s had the weather…yep “cloudy with a chance of meatballs” was totally the weather! Here’s hoping Clara inherits John’s humor because life is always better when you’re laughing! Sorry for the extra long comment!

    Reply

  35. Mali says

    Loved this post, so very real and why I love you guys! It’s awesome to hear why a person is so special! Your post made me appreciate my husband more tonight, thanks and happy birthday John!

    Reply

  36. Shannon says

    Awwww, this is the “love” part of your blog name. After today’s posts, I think we’ll be on Petersik baby watch 9 months from now.

    Reply

  37. Izabela says

    Sherry you are just so stinking cute :) I can so see you writing this post and giigling and ahhing, and tearing up. Happy birthday John. You guys are very blessed.

    Reply

  38. Ally says

    “el hubbo” may just turn into “el horno” tonite…

    With those lips and all, the man is just a walking talking decorating sex bomb :)

    xox

    Reply

  39. Stephanie N says

    Happy Birthday John! Oh how I wish I was 31 again! (I’m 43)

    I love your post Sherry. I think one of the reasons your blog is so great is because the love you two show each other and Clara and Burger really shines through.

    I like the way John dresses too! He likes to layer! And wear colors! Unlike someone who seems to favor black and dark denim. :)

    Reply

  43. Shelley @ Calypso in the Country says

    I love this post. It’s great that he feels confident to walk a tiny dog. I don’t know if my husband would be able to handle that – that’s probably why we have a golden retriever! (I guess my husband still has some growing to do!) But I always remember Arnold Schwartzenager in the movie, True Lies. Here was this huge guy out walking a tiny dog. Love it. Anyway, I enjoyed reading what you are grateful for. Part of the reason your blog is so successful is the chemistry as well as devotion your have towards each other. Happy Birthday John!
    -Shelley

    Reply

  45. Diana says

    Thanks for this post Sherry; you two are a lovely couple!

    Your love for each other is the kind of love we wish for our children too. I remember I asked my daughter once (before she was married) what kind of guy she was looking for, and she answered, “Someone like Dad”. So, when you waited for THE ONE, you picked the best role model for Clara!

    Happy Birthday John!!

    Reply

  47. KathyL says

    Hi, me again, stating ~~I love your love~~. I know about the man/child/pet thing. Perfect example just this weekend: my daughter was home for the weekend and we were in the diningroom and heard my husband sneeze. Then we hear a quiet “sorry kitty”. Daughter and I burst into roll laughing…and we hear my husband explain..”when I sneezed it made Sassy jump straight up from where she was sleeping in the sun”….guy is a keeper!!! xo, KathyL

    Reply

  50. mp says

    Your first item means a lot to me, because I’ve known too many men who didn’t love their daughters. When a friend from many years ago had a son, her husband bragged about a friend whose daughter was born at the same time and begged, “Wanna trade?” Wise parents know that a child’s gender doesn’t matter — an attitude I was raised with — but it’s so wonderful to see it in practice. Happy birthday, John!

    Reply

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