Today is a big
day for my husband.
Today marks the
10th year of owning and running Old Havana Cigar Company.
And if you're interested, one of my first posts was a little about how he even ended up buying a cigar shop right out of college. You can read it here.
I don’t know a
lot about entrepreneurship…but I know 10 years is a big deal. Especially considering what the last 4 or so
years have been like.
That’s
actually part of why Steven is successful.
He doesn’t make excuses…for anything.
If he has a goal, an expectation, a standard, he will achieve it. Circumstances and situations do not make up
who he is. He has an inner strength and
a spirit of perseverance that I have never seen displayed in another human
being.
That very
strength and perseverance and refusal to make excuses are traits that are woven
through his entire life story. A story I
couldn’t possibly pour out here and do any justice to. But I can tell you it’s one of complete
inspiration.
So here is to the
sacrifices he made in his youth to be in a position to buy and run a business
at age 23. And to the time, worry, hard
work, and heart, poured into keeping it going and growing over the last 10
years. For how he runs a business, to how he treats others; I am proud, I am in awe, and I am
in love with this man.
Onto a more
personal note…
There’s a slightly
different reason why I am so proud, in awe, and in love. A reason that isn’t really seen or understood
by anyone except for me, a two year little girl, and a new little life soon to
join our family…
Steven,
I have watched
over the last 5 years, you learn to work differently. Certainly not less, but different.
It started with
me. We met, and I heard all these
stories of how you were a workaholic and poured everything you had into your
shop. But I watched your schedule, your
hours, start to change. It was to get to
know me, to pursue me, all leading up to learn how to be a husband who put his
marriage first.
Then, oh my, this
little girl was born. You weren’t going
to miss a thing. I watched you somehow
balance more responsibility, working to provide for a growing family while
losing my income, all while still making time spent with us a priority.
I don’t envy that
responsibility, but I’m completely moved by what you do with it.
And shame on
me. I know there are times when I take
it for granted, when I still want to complain about days that end up being
longer than planned or work that can’t be left for another day. But selfishly I simply don’t want to share
you with anything. Maybe if your presence
didn’t bring me so much peace and contentment it wouldn’t matter as much!
But my prayer for
my own heart is that my attitude and actions toward you are more consistent
with what’s in my heart.
And what’s in my
heart is that…I know. I know with every
fiber of my being what your priorities are, your family. Your wife, your children (born, coming soon,
and future).
I am so grateful
and so thankful for the man you are. I’m
excited for our children.
Speaking from
experience, I know the value of being raised by a father who did whatever necessary
to provide for his family, while recognizing that his time was still the greatest gift he could give us. Never having to question where my importance
ranked in my father’s life was an immeasurable gift that I feel beyond blessed
that our children will get to experience as well.
I know it’s not
always easy, well really never easy, but you make it seem that way. The lessons our children (and me!) will learn
about responsibility and love will be heard loud and clear just by watching you
live out your life day by day. That
means more than any list of rules, guidelines, or lectures. They will see that.
And yes, here we
are about to bring another child into our world, and I think you’ve been pulled
in more directions than ever.
But at the end of
the day, in the bottom of my heart, I’m not worried. Because when it comes down to it and if
things got to be too crazy, I know you will choose us every time. Not out of obligation, but out of love.
So know my
love, that it’s noticed. Our
togetherness? It’s noticed. All the moments you shuffle around to be with
us. That you count those times as joy
and not duty. It’s noticed. If I need to tell you a hundred times every
day, I will. Because I never want you to
think I’m unaware of just how blessed we are and how your love for me is woven
into all that you do.
I see it, feel it, and treasure it and I
send it back to you.
Love,
Lindsey
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