To Christy:

You know the saying, "Behind every great man is a great woman"? I have been thinking about that quote today, and, if you would humor me, I would like to write a little on how I interpret that quote.

I think that quotation summarizes a couple at the pinnacle of their lives and their relationship. The amazing couples that we admire and look up to have had many years to grow together and work on becoming better. I believe, if we were able to see the amazing couples at the beginning of their life together, the quote would read a little different. I believe the quote would read, "Behind every potentially great man is an already great woman." In my relationship, that sums it up. We are all blessed with great talents, abilities, and a wonderful purpose here on this life. Each person can become great with Heavenly Father's help. That is why I believe the first half of the quote should read "behind every potentially great man." The difference, as evidence in my relationship with Christy, is that I am "potentially great" and she has already achieved the "great" status. When we first got married, Christy was already perfect. I, on the other hand, needed (and still need) a lot of work. Throughout the past couple years together, I believe that I have gotten better with Christy's help. I have taken a couple steps closer to her level and a couple steps closer to the level of "greatness" in the eyes of my Heavenly Father. Since Christy is already on the level of greatness, she now has the ability to reach down and help me up.

I believe that our relationship is a microcosm of society in general. Behind every potentially great man is a great woman. Us, as men, strive to reach the level of our wives. I have spent the past two years of my life striving to catch up to Christy. I believe that is why marriage is such an amazing thing. Heavenly Father gave us a built-in motivator in the form of our wives. He knew they could be perfect without us, but we couldn't reach that level without them. We need that help. I need that help.

In summary, I believe Neil L. Andersen put it the best when he said, "My wife, Kathy, is my light and example, a precious daughter of God, full of purity and innocence. I would be nothing without her. For much of my life, I have been trying to become what she thought I already was." (Elder Neil L. Andersen, "Come Unto Him," Ensign, May 2009)

Let us all remember the gift Heavenly Father has given us in our spouse. For all those husbands out there, look to your wife as a motivation of what you can become with their help. For all the wives, don't get frustrated with your husbands, love them, encourage them, and help them become the person you already see in them.

Christy, I love you. Thank you for your love and encouragement.