In a few hours, it will be exactly ten years since I first laid eyes on Matt. I was only 22 years old at the time, I had just moved to New York City, and if you had told me going into work that night that I was getting ready to meet the man I would marry, I would've laughed right in your face. But you would've had the last laugh.

These past ten years have been the most amazing, most challenging, and most growth-ful of my life thus far. I'm a pretty independent person, but Matt has pushed me in ways I never would've pushed myself, encouraged me to pursue passions I would've otherwise brushed aside, and inspired me to be my better self, day in and day out. There are so many reasons I love my husband, but in honor of today's milestone, here are ten:

10: He is an amazing cook, and puts dinner on the table - literally - every night without fail. Without him, the boys and I would eat PB&Js three days a week, and probably spaghetti the other four. 9: He is very good at his job. Since we both work from home, I get to observe him in his element pretty regularly, and am always impressed with his professionalism and extraordinary client service. 8: He's a grammar nerd. 7: He is a thoughtful and generous gift giver. If my experience were all I knew, the idea of men being the ones who typically forget anniversaries would seem ludicrous. 6: He loves having parties as much as I do (and we have some pretty good ones, if I do say so myself!). 5: He's an amazing musician, and I have always had a serious soft spot for a good voice. 4: He tells me he thinks I'm more beautiful now - after having two children - than I was before. He may be lying, but I'll take it. 3: He only rarely gets so angry that he yells. This one has been tough at times, because it means I have to keep my calm, too, but it's taught me that being right isn't always what's most important, and ultimately made our home a happy and peaceful one. 2: He's a sweet, gentle father. 1: He is as honest, dependable, and loyal as they come, and I am a lucky, lucky woman to have him by my side.

Here's to several decades more...

xox, annemie