A true partner

I have the BEST husband out there hands down! Mark has been put to the test early on in our marriage, it's easy to say the vows, it's another thing to truly live them out. Sometimes I'm still amazed at how perfectly matched we are, God knew exactly what kind of man I needed. Four months before we were married, I had a blood clot to the head and that gave me a small glimpse of just how special he is. For those that don't know Mark, he is EXTREMELY patient (my parents have always said I'll need a patient man), he has a generous heart, a man of integrity and character, and a well balanced man, just to name a few of his qualities. I learn so much through him and have been surprised at how God uses Mark to teach me things, especially in the areas I am weaker. The areas that I lack, Mark excels in and it gives me a real life picture of what to strive for. I've heard how some men shut down/withdraw when they are unable to solve a problem and cancer is a big unsolvable problem for a spouse! Mark has never shut down, he has always been a listening ear and by my side through this whole ordeal. I completely understand when the bible says that women are the "weaker vessel," because there is no way I would have been able to hold up emotionally as well as Mark has through these past couple years. I can't tell you how many times Mark has had to make his own meals, clean around the house, do laundry, take care of the dogs, and take care of a variety of other things when I couldn't, and he did them without complaining. I can't fully understand what it has been like for him to be on the other side of cancer, I think his side is the harder one. I know 2010 was a very stressful year, one of the "gifts" however, was seeing just how much my husband loves me and has been willing to live out our vows-for better, for worse, in sickness and in health. He is a true partner and there is no way I could have done treatment without him!! I will never forget coming out of surgery and finding out for the first time the type of cancer it was and that chemo would be required. I had a fairly good idea of what we would be walking into, Mark did not, he really didn't care what lay ahead, he just made it clear to me that whatever was in our future, we would do together. Leading up to surgery, I had told him I would never do chemo/radiation, but in that moment everything changed.
Now that we are on this menopause roller coaster, thank you for hanging in there with me. I know we will get this figured out one way or another!