10+ years ago I saw an incredibly attractive woman standing in the popcorn line at the movie theater. Four years later that same woman became my wife and six years after that she became the mother of our baby girl, Ruby.
Today is Valentine’s Day, yet I write this in a small hotel room on the border of Kansas and Nebraska as just two days ago Janny sat next to her Grandpa as he passed away. We once again live in the tension of life and death while embracing an Entangled Theology (see last weeks’ posts).
In the midst of the pain, I want to write why my wife is awesome. Our relationship has had lots of pain and lots of joy, so it just makes sense that (even amidst pain) I reflect on the joy you have brought me and so many others.
Janny, you are a
wesome and here are the top 5 reasons why:
1. You’re Hot
(forgive the Junior Higher in me, but I’m your husband and it’s Valentine’s Day…I can say that!)
2. You’re super quick witted and funny
As much as I like to think I’m the funny guy, we all know you are the one carrying the goods of quick witted humor in this relationship. Even when it might not be completely appropriate, you still throw it out there…and I love that.
3. You’re the best travel partner a man could ask for
Travel has been less of vacation and more of a pilgrimage in our relationship. It has shaped our worldview, given us the opportunity to see God’s Kingdom breaking through in contexts we would otherwise never imagine and allowed us to spend ridiculous amounts of time together. How many women would turn in their wardrobe and comfort in exchange for 1 backpack and no guarantees on where we would sleep the next night? I loved all of the 30ish countries we have wandered through, but most of all I loved wandering through them hand in hand with you (except Morocco where that wasn’t allowed!).
4. Family
I am humbled and honored by the value you put on family. From loving both of our children through joy and tears to caring selflessly for my grandma when she has been at her worst, you embody selfless love and commitment. Relational health among our families is in large part due to your leading me by example.
5. Lead the way in living out Jesus’ call on our lives
Setting aside financial and physical security to continually live into Jesus’ call on our lives is no easy task, yet it is one that you have willingly chosen to participate and raise our family within. For you, following Jesus is not simply a title, one-time decision or about saying the right things. Instead, you follow Jesus in all aspects of your life and invite others to do the same.
Bonus: You put up with me and keep me in line! Well, you try…
Cheers to my wife, Janny. You are freaking awesome. I’m looking forward to another 10+ years and another 10+ years after that.
With all that being said, will you be my Valentine?
P.S. Many of you who read this know Janny. Jump in and tell her why she is awesome!
Janny, Between being so amazingly attractive and so sincerely sweet and so over the top creative you are a one of a kind unique bomb of the universe.
You understand my humor and we laugh till we cry. Remember
the picture booth when you were pregnant?
You are a peacemaker.
You are a pioneer woman, strong in mind,body and soul.
I’ve been in on many deliveries and you were the most amazing
woman I have ever seen .
You are stubborn in a good way.
Your artistic talent is a gift and such a blessing to others.
You are my sweet baby girl forever….
Janny, I will add to that list that you care deeply for those around you and you always remember what’s going on in people’s lives, so that we know you’re thinking about us and praying for us while we’re apart. Thank you for loving me and others in this way! I hope you both have a sweet Valentine’s Day!
Jan,
You are awesome. We thank God for you! Outside of your own mom, you are the best mom that I know. You are doing a super job with Ruby. I love your adventurous spirit. You have blessed us immensely and are a blessing to many others.
Love, Dad
In a completely Christ-exalting way, I wonder if those “Goddess” bars we love so much are not named after you. Less in the sense of you being a Greek Diety and more in the sense of characteristics:
~Sweet (Loving and totally hospitable to all who cross your path)
~Salty (Distinctive in humor and conversation)
~Nutty (You waxed 3 guys nose hairs at the same time for goodness sake!)
~A Necessity and Luxury (Time with you is a lot of fun and fills a need in our community)
I appreciate your teachable spirit as I coach you through decisions 🙂 Thanks for being so kind and warm!
Really fun reading Jon’s blog and all of these comments about you Jansy! After only knowing you a few months, I have seen all these things and have been on the receiving side of many! I also love how you bring people in to participate with you in your creativity. Whether it is scrub night, decorating for a party,or doing thoughtful things for our husbands..you inspire others to be creative, and we experience relationship while doing it. I love this…keep it up! xo
I love the way you can do so much with so little. I mean geez, look what you’ve done with Jonny. 😀 Whether it’s a brunch in your backyard our communion tables in Rosarito Beach, it’s cool how you can make the simple beautiful.
Our dear and beloved Janny
it’s true that your wit is uncanny
as your hubby said
how you’re quick in the head
is like a swift kick in the fanny
Lovely and motherly Janny
sweet mother and one day a granny
sharp as a tack
and hot as a torch
you . . .
Ok, so finding words that rhyme with Janny is a little tough. It has been such a blessing to have you and your family come to join our community, my friend. You bring love and light with you wherever you go – if you have any single friends that are even remotely like you (save for they’re excited by the idea of living in, say, a tent), you know where to send ’em. I already miss being your neighbor and am deeply grateful to have you as a friend and a catalyst to my imagination regarding how wonderful Christian women can be. Happy Valentine’s Day . . .
Colin
jahuckin!!!!
you’re a true delight!! you have brought joy to the love of my life, molly; i am forever grateful and forever a friend/uncle max (to ruby).
-much love janny!
First of all, I did not upload this picture of me, it just showed up.
Second of all, I really do hope you haven’t come across anything “unexpected” this last week.
Thirdly, I love you! It has been such a joy getting to know you better and having a friend who pushes me to be more creative and more honest and more real. I’m so glad you guys moved to San Diego and I’m glad to be one of the people that get’s to call you Janny 🙂
xo
It’s been amazing getting to know you Janny, your friendship means so much to me and my family. The time you spend with my 9 yr old, Stefani, has been so formative for her (she loves hanging out with you). You are a true adventurer, a stellar creative, and amazing mother to that little gem of a girl, Ruby. It’s a privilege calling you friend, and I can’t think of a better partner in life for my man Jonny.
Jon
Jan…simply put…you are my best friend! I love you!
Janny ~ Love this blog and love the comments. I agree with all of them! I forgot to share this the other night, but one of the first things that I noticed about you (after I checked out your amazing fashion-sense) is your ability to talk fast. Ah, I don’t mean that you talk a lot…What I mean is that your brain works three (more like ten) times faster than mine and I am in awe as I try to keep up. You are smart, witty, and a great conversationalist and I LOVE that about you!
I also LOVE how you love your husband and daughter. You appreciate them, you seek to love them better, and you inspire us while you do it.
Lastly, I see in you humility, a giving spirit, genuineness, and a desire to be in real relationships. Awwww, I’m loving you even more as I type this. Will you be my BFF? 😉
YES! Thanks for jumping in and helping me show Janny some love! Keep it coming!
Happy Valentines Day Janny!! You are so my kind of girl! I’m really glad you’ve got a sense of adventure, amazing self awareness, quick wit, true beauty and all of the other qualities that make you a great friend and the perfect mom and wife. Ruby and Johnny are beyond fortunate and so are all of us in your new tribe – “luv ya’ gurlfren” 😉
Janny I love how you are always asking me how Amy is doing. The Lord has blessed you with a heart that cares! Love it. Also love how you always are looking out for me and my needs. May the Lord bless you and Jonny this year!
Janny!
I’m grateful to God for bringing you to NieuCommunities. You have been a sincere and faithful friend. I love and appreciate your adventurous spirit, your laughs, your tears, the way you listen when I share my heart with you and the way you’ve opened your heart up to me. Love you, friend and HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! 🙂
I smile when i think about you….desserts, poker, and booze also floods my mind…just saying:)
You have loved me well janny. Whether it’s a scrumtrullecent goody popping out of the oven or a candid “janny” remark that gives me a good chuckle I feel a sense of warmth when im around you….most specifically when im in your home. I think you have painted this picture of “home” not just for your family but for your neighbors as well. This is a gift….and you are very gifted my friend:)
Its an honor and a blast to do community with you and live alongside you during this season of life. love u janz
JAN!!!! You are the most hardcore woman I’ve ever met. You literally scaled the walls of the Old City Jerusalem, climbed up HUGE hills and fortresses, walked up and down dirt and rocky paths, in the ridiculously hot Middle Eastern sun, ALL while you were 6 or 7 months pregnant!!!! That’s is AWESOME! I hope my future wife is as adventurous, and has a good sense of humor like you. Jon is a blessed man, and Ruby is a blessed baby. Happy Valentines Day!!! And can’t wait to see you, Jon, Ruby, and Harry one day! God bless the Huckins, and continue to walk strong in your faith and showing the love of Christ to all those you come across. I am very blessed to have met you guys on the other side of the world.
p.s. hope you can now enjoy the nectar
So Jan, I only got to hang out with you a couple times before we left San Diego, but I have to jump in on this because in such a short time you made quite the impression on me. In all sincerity it was one of the things I was most bummed about leaving the community when we did – that I wouldn’t get to see more of you. You have such an infectious vibrant spirit that is both fun and relaxing to be around. It’s fun to read all of these comments and see how important to the community you’ve become in these past 6 months – I had no doubt what-so-ever that you would from the first night I met you. You’re a special lady.
you are awesome… because…. I said so. and that is that. LOVE YOU!
I have loved you and Jon being apart of our life. You are great. You love well. You are fun to be around. You are amazingly creative. You’re a good mom and wife. You have a great smile. You’re smart. You love Jesus deeply. You have a great sense of humor. You’re a good leader. You’re caring. And those are things I noticed just in a few months. I’m looking forward to all the things I will see in the next few months.
I felt loved and embraced from the day I met you. Jan, you are beautiful on the inside and out. What a privilege to know you!!
Wow! Such good stuff, thanks so much for taking the time to honor a woman we all love so much. It really meant alot to her as your notes filtered in throughout the day. Totally overwhelmed and grateful for our great community of friends/family.