Dear Rachel,
Several weeks ago we were on a car trip and I asked you what you wanted for Christmas (one of the 7000 times I asked).  You thought about it for a little then said "all I want is love, peace and happiness." my first thought was to respond with a list of ways that you do that every day, but, believe it or not, I thought before I spoke and I came up with this idea.  Admittedly, part of it may have been because I have been trained to think that documentation is necessary, but I also thought this would be a fun way to show you how vital you are to our family.
You have been such an inspiration in so many ways over the years.  not only have you supported me through choosing a career, completing the nearly endless schooling, surviving a grueling residency, and much more, but you have also somehow found a way to make all that enjoyable.  You have always found ways to show me you love an support me and you have done it in the way that I have needed.  You are thoughtful, kind and giving and you show that every day of your life.
Here is my Christmas present to you:  I promise to write once a week, for an entire year about something that you have done to bring love peace and happiness to our lives.  Now, you know that I have never, in my life, been that consistent on anything (probably including eating and sleeping), so every time I miss a post for the week, I will continue with an extra 2 posts.



Here is my first post.  You bring love, peace and happiness to our home by helping us be a better family.  I have to give a little background to how I had the idea of this blog, because we both know that starting a blog by myself is probably the last thought on my mind.  On the same car ride that inspired this blog, you shared something that you wanted to work on.  You mentioned the book the "Orange Rhino" and how the author had made a commitment to stop yelling at her kids.   You read to me from this book, discussed strategies, and even shared your experiences.  In your sharing of this book, to told me how the author made a goal to not yell at her kids for an entire year.  Every time she did, she would start the time over, but she also started a blog to help hold her to her outrageous goal.  As you explained this you discussed the importance of being held responsible for our goals to improve ourselves.  I have always been an "under promise, over deliver" type of guy.  I like the idea of making secret goals so if I happen to fail, no one knows, and if I happen to succeed, it makes me look like a rock star.  You have helped me understand that this is not the best approach.  You are so good at evaluating yourself, our family, our relationship and always striving for improvement.  You love to try new things to expand your skill set, experience, and talents.  You definitely make a constant effort to "let your light so shine".    I appreciate your constant efforts to improve yourself and bring our family up with you.  Since our wonderful conversation, I have noticed myself constantly looking for the good, and I owe that to you.  I love you so much.  I want you to have the best Christmas ever and I look forward to a year filled with love peace and happiness.