my very best friend!!!

 If you are in a need of a good friend, the kind who will not just stand behind you, but stand next to you in life's battles, you should pursue my husband.

(Here he is being sexy & catching a frisbee. A best friend should be good at sports.)

Josh Tilford is the best friend you could ever dream up! Before this sounds super cheeseball, keep reading as I dissect the beauty in the heart of my husband...

Without fail, if you sit down over coffee with Josh, he will ask hard questions, & if you don't answer fully, you may then experience awkwardness. Because, he doesn't know how to do chitter-chattter-surface-level conversation. He is deep. He yearns to know the motives, inspirations, & dreams of others... because he believes in people. He will dream alongside you. He would never mock a heart desire you share, big or small, because he loves knowing other's hearts.  When you share your heart with him, it's guaranteed that it will rest within him.  I remember meeting him & his eyes were so intense as he asked me questions... I could tell he cared. That he really did want to know me.

He is the best friend you could ever have on bad days.  I am moody, hormonal, lacking tolerance, judgmental, & impatient.  I have sad days, where I want nothing outside the walls of my home.  He is gracious in all of this.  Never judging me.  Never expecting perfection.  Never expecting me to be a joyous ball of rainbows all hours of the day.  He loves me where I am & how I am.  He loves me laughing & loves me crying.  And, what's the best about this, is he will also call it out.  If I linger in my sad days for too long, he calls it out in love.  With scripture, he will encourage me to find joy in the Lord, to be content, to go have alone time & seek the face of Jesus.  A good friend lets you have bad days & loves you in them; and a best friend will tell you when it's time to move along.

A best friend opens your eyes to appreciate the world around you.  Josh always sees the little things-- an odd shaped building, green moss on rocks, flock of birds flying in synch, abandoned & trampled farm homes... he sees them & gets excited about them. He pauses his world to stop & adore the world around him, & even more, to appreciate the world around him.  Not only does he love the beauties in this world, but he makes choices to preserve them.  I have rolled my eyes at saving all of our recycling & washing it on road trips.  I have even stomped my little foot as he brings home his lunch bag full of recycled things from his office.  But, with Josh... there is reason behind his actions. Always.  So, as he opens your eyes to appreciate the little thing, he inspires you to be apart of keeping them beautiful.

(picture of an old, rugged little farmhouse he took about a year ago. because he loves it & i wasn't just using a random example.) 

Best friends listen & make it safe for you to share.  I know I can tell Josh anything.  He listens & never judges what leaves my wretched lips.  I feel safe sharing my deepest thoughts, ugliest thoughts, most cherished memories, or past hurts.  I am so grateful for how he listens.

They do life with you. Every bit of it.  There have been hard seasons in which friendships dissolve because they don't know how to help, or relate & it's awkward.  Not just because Josh & I are married, but because I witness him living this out.. I know he will not leave your side in your toughest hours.  He is not afraid of hardship or demons... because, he rests fully in a God that is bigger. He has never made me feel  alone or forgotten- even in small moments.  Not only that, but because of his faith, his consistency, & intentionality he is a friend I would WANT by my side in those hours. I am so blessed to have him by my side in those hours.

Laughter & adventure are the gold mine of the best friendships.  Exploring with Josh could be a full-time gig, if only it payed off loans.  He's the guy who will make a trip happen & you'll want him with you on the trip for insightful conversation & rich laughter.  He will push you to explore past your comfort zone... even if you cry the whole way through it. (yes. this happened, & now it's just a funny story. ish.)

He expects profound conversation with you, not because it's only within him-- but because he knows it is within you.  His questions may step on your toes, but by golly, they will challenge you to question what you are doing with your life.  A good friend has the courage to ask.  

I keep coming back to the fact that my best friend is intentional. That he seeks out the best in me.  That he wants to know me more.  That he loves me in all circumstances.

Not that my husband is anywhere close to being god of my world, or God in Heaven... but, he sure does reflect the beauty of our King in ways that I have never encountered in another human.  

He is imperfect, sinful, wakes up with bad breath, makes wrong turns, & sometimes forgets to take out the trash... But, when it comes to being the best friend ever, I'd say he's pretty much aced it. He is the best husband I could ever dream of-- he surpasses any expectation of marriage I had.  He is an AMAZING father, the most perfect for Asher.

 I never imagined myself to end up so much like my parents(the ones who never went to the grocery store without the other one).  Now, I know why they do that.  And, I am SO blessed to have a marriage where in every moment, I want Josh with me.  

So, here is to TWO years of sweet love, chaos, joy, smiles, laughter, hardship, grace, & the most beautiful dance.  I am so honored, so blessed to be doing this life with you.  You are my best friend.  My hero.  My reality check. My dreams.  You make every day brighter with your smile & laughter. Your wisdom for this life is my rock, as it mirrors the Gospel. Your love for God is like blood in my veins-- so real, so necessary, & keeping me alive.  You're so much more than the list of 42 attributes I prayed my husband would have.  I cannot wait to fall more in love with you.  I cannot wait to make mistakes with you.  I am so excited about another year of exploring this world with you, my love!

In conclusion, if you have something like this- cherish it, hold it close to your heart, breathe it in, & praise God for such an undeserved gift.  If you do not have something so precious, I guarantee my husband would sit down with you, ask hard questions, & would be the best friend ever. (however, I do take up most of his time... so chances are, you'd be stuck with me, too.)

I -try- to keep my blogs short... but, the words of my heart for this man OVERFLOW! I could write a whole book!

Blessed. I am absolutely, definitely, without a doubt, insanely blessed to call Joshua Bryant Tilford my best friend, studly, super model gorgeous, wise beyond his years, faithful, sexy husand!!!!!!

HAPPY TWO YEARS!