With a family of nine, birthdays come around all the time. Yesterday was my husband John’s birthday and last night we celebrated in our usual fashion. The kids decorated the dining room like a diner, complete with a lighted sign and a little corner table. They had a cash register on the buffet and a tip jar in case anyone wanted to contribute!! They did such a great job.
He chose Swiss Cheese Chicken (recipe linked)as his birthday meal, which, if you don’t mind a little cream of mushroom soup, is actually a pretty healthy dish. And for dessert he asked for a Tunnel of Fudge cake. If you make it right, when you cut into it, the cake has a fudgy center. Quite yummy, and since we have so many people, everyone can have one piece today and one piece tomorrow and then the cake is all gone!
We all love our spouses of course, but when I think of John, I often think of how supportive he was during my obese years. Even at my highest weight he never made me feel like a fatty. Instead he always encouraged me (prodded actually) to look the best I could look. He was always trying to get me to buy some new clothes or try a new hairstyle. No matter how self depreciating I was about myself, he never joined in and made me feel bad about myself.
Even then I couldn’t believe he still thought I was attractive. I felt like a cow 99% of the time, but I suppose he didn’t see the same thing in the mirror that I did. All I saw were the ugly hips, thighs, and abdomen but he saw inside. I still appreciate that about him.
As I tried diet after diet, he was always encouraging and willing to help me. And when I fell off every wagon I got up on, he never criticized me when I said, “Let’s go to McDonald’s for a snack of fries and a chocolate shake.” Instead he just went with me, and never said a word about the quick failure of that particular diet.
None of us is perfect in any relationship, but he really did his best to prop up my self esteem during those really dark years.
I often wonder if I would have been as supportive of him as he was of me. I hope so!!
So on this, his birthday weekend, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to my hubby! Can’t wait to see what this year holds for our family. Diane
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You are so lucky to have such a supportive husband (and a beautiful family)!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner´s last blog ..MIA (and exciting news!)
Haooy b’day to John and hope you all enjoy the celebration weekend.
Wonderful family pic, even though you are missing
Julia´s last blog ..Snow day
Happy Birthday John! Diane, it sounds like you have a keeper for sure.
I’m pretty lucky my husband John is similar and has never berated me about my weight or anything. In a way, it makes you want to lose it for yourself, you know?
Anonymous Fat Girl´s last blog ..Fat ass to gym rat, week 9, video 5
Happy birthday to your super-sweet husband! Having a supportive mate is so important. I didn’t know you had a family of 9? Wow, I commend you!
Nicole´s last blog ..Soap boxin’ and kale chip rave!
Happy Birthday, John! Looks like you all had a wonderful birthday celebration! Beautiful family! That recipe looks spectacular…wish my tummy could handle dairy products! Maybe I’ll try to tweak it a bit…
Erin´s last blog ..Holy Yum!
Happy birthday to your hubby! It’s wonderful how supportive he has been
Lori (Finding Radiance)´s last blog ..Fab Friday and orange super foods!
Great picture! Great family. Blessings to you, and Happy Birthday John.
You have a beautiful family! Happy birthday to your husband!
kilax´s last blog ..How to avoid falling into a funk
Happy Birthday, John! I love the photo!
Awww, I want to be part of your family too!!! I love big families. Mine’s giant now with all my step-siblings and I wouldn’t have it any other way
Happy bee-day to the husband!
Susan´s last blog ..Flashback Friday!! “Feelin’ Irie Mon”
Awww, Happy birthday to John!
Lola´s last blog ..Official Weight – Week 68
What a fun way to celebrate a birthday. It’s so great that John was so supportive of you. I too am thankful that Stephen never made me feel unattractive or like a failure but loved me when I was my heaviest. In a way, I’m thankful that when he first knew me, I was heavy because it somehow convinced me that he loved me for me and would be okay with whatever changes my body goes through.
erin´s last blog ..Friday Five: Random Facts About Me
Happy Birthday John ! It just goes to prove that our worst critics are often found in the mirror- to the rest of the world we often appear to be wonderful, lovely and lovable people. And it looks like a good time was had by all !
Diane´s last blog ..I want to know
Happy Birthay to your husband! Sounds like you found a good one!
Alissa´s last blog ..Back to the Basics
He sounds like a king amongst men. What a legend!
I feel the same way about my wife.
AndrewENZ´s last blog ..Cycle commute
What a tribute to a good man! How wonderful that he was so supportive of you…many would not have been so supported of their wives.
P.S. Love your articles…and thanks for including recipes!
Diane, you are really a blessed woman, and by the same token, your husband is a blessed man.
South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Down Day
What a sweet post – Happy Birthday, John!
This was so sweet! John sounds like an incredible man.
Ashley´s last blog ..You learn something new every day
Your family is just so beautiful!
Sarah´s last blog ..Back to Running
Happy Birthday John! Diane, he sounds like a keeper!
Today is my hubby’s birthday too!
Julie Lost and Found´s last blog ..What the heck?? Some lessons learned this weekend
I guess, then, John played a big role in you being here in blogland supporting and helping us. Thank you, John, and Happy Birthday.
My husband has finally learned to be supportive in a good way. It’s been a long road.
Gina Fit by 41 Maybe 42´s last blog ..Blanched Broccoli: Proof Kids Like It (and PSC 2: Day 1)
Oh, and thanks for the recipe.
Gina Fit by 41 Maybe 42´s last blog ..Blanched Broccoli: Proof Kids Like It (and PSC 2: Day 1)
Happy birthday to Diane’s wonderful supportive hubby!!
Marcelle´s last blog ..Saturday on 20mg
Happy Birthday, John! What a gift to be surrounded with so much love on your birthday! Wishing you and John happiness always!
Joanna Sutter´s last blog ..Sunday School
Happy Birthday John! Yay for supportive husbands… I have one too!
Hanlie´s last blog ..Happiness Is…
Happy Birthday to your WONDERFUL husband. You have a beautiful family. I hope you got him something to keep the boys away from your oldest daughter…I bet the boys are beating down your door!!
Melissa´s last blog ..Running in the Cold
WOW! You have an amazing husband. I love reading about the support he gives you. Happy Birthday John!
She-Fit´s last blog ..Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred
Happy Birthday John!! What a wonderful family you have
suzanne´s last blog ..Weekly goal update
I know how much I lean on my BF for support and your Husband sounds like a great man! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
tj´s last blog ..What’s on the menu tonight?
Happy Birthday to your husband, Diane!! He’s a lucky man to be part of such a beautiful family!
Diane, what a beautiful family! So rare these days that the family all gets together as much as yours does.. a testament to you & John. Happy Bday to him!!! He sounds like a wonderful man! I am lucky that way too with a hubby that supports my craziness!
Thx so much for sharing!
Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Healthcare Reform – Yes, We Need It!
Happy birthday John!
You’re blessed with him Diane but I’m sure he feels the same about you.
Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Sunday January 10th 2010
A wonderful family and supportive husband-you are one very blessed woman. John sounds like a great guy. Happy Birthday to your honey!
karen@fitnessjourney´s last blog ..Stretch It Out : Part I
What a wonderful husband! My husband has also been supportive, thankfully. Over the years he hasn’t said a word about all the money I spent on weight loss books, Weight Watchers, personal trainers, gym memberships, etc. This was a nice post.
Carla´s last blog ..My plan for this week
Happy birthday to your wonderful hubby!
Tricia´s last blog ..iFitness Giveaway
You’re so lucky to have someone so supportive! Happy birthday to your hubby!
Happy birthday to a fine man. You must swell with pride when you see all those good-lookin’ kids.
Larkspur´s last blog ..Poprocks
Happy Birthday, John!
I love this picture. It’s a family strong, together, and thriving.
So I counted the kids, and uh, wow. There really ARE seven of ‘em. God bless you, woman.
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Happy (belated) Birthday, John! I truly believe that a supportive husband is crucial to a woman’s self esteem – whether she’s heavy or thin.
You are both blessed!
What a great picture of the family. I love the idea of the diner. It does sound like you have an amazing huasband
Staci´s last blog ..First Day Half Marathon Training……
Your Swiss Cheese Chicken recipe was awesome.
Thanks for providing recipes that your family likes. It takes some guess work out for me.
Gina Fit by 41 Maybe 42´s last blog ..I Must Resist
Awww, what a sweet guy!!
I think when you love someone, you simply don’t see the extra weight. You see them as you always have.