Yesterday, on Thanksgiving Day, Steve — my beloved Silver Fox — had his 70th birthday. That boggles my mind, and his, too, I’m sure. I didn’t meet him until he was already in veterinary school at Auburn and 21 years old. We married when he was 23. Even though I never knew him as a child or a teenager, I’ve seen the photos and heard the stories enough to know there has been a blessed consistency running throughout his seven decades. As a birthday tribute, I’d like to share “Ten Things Steve Loves”, so you can know him better, too.

1. Steve loves Jesus. He is a committed follower of Christ who spends time reading the Bible and praying every single day. Much of the rest of what I’ll type actually stems from this very first aspect of his life.
2. Steve loves his children and believes that they are the reason God put him on earth.
   

   Steve with his 3 on his 70th birthday.

3. Steve loves his grandchildren.   They are dear treasures to him, and he is committed to being a positive role model for them in everything he does or says.  
   

   Steve and Maggie on the last night of Cousins Camp.

   

   Steve with Enoch, grandchild #13.

4. Steve loves nature, being outdoors, doing yard work, spending time on the river (specifically the Tennessee River) and fishing. His own dad passed along these particular traits through passion and much practice as Steve watched and practiced beside him. He’d rather not be cold, but he’ll brave the elements to be outside.  He is also committed to staying active and healthy. 
5. Steve loves Auburn — another passion shared by his father. About the only time you are liable to hear him yell is when Auburn is playing football.  
   

   Steve and me before an Auburn game.

6. Steve loves veterinary medicine — the profession God led him to pursue. Yes, he enjoys the animals and the skill he has to improve their lives, but he also loves the people he has met through that journey — the clients, employees and colleagues. He has written a book on this very subject that will be published soon. In my unbiased opinion, he is a very good veterinarian.
   

   Steve pointing to his photo at the 45th anniversary of graduating from veterinary school at Auburn.

7. Steve loves the part of North Alabama where he grew up and claims to “speak Morgan County” fluently. He had an idyllic childhood in Decatur. His parents are deceased, but he and his brother David are still close and have a shared love and respect for each other. Steve is a proud Class of ’66 graduate of Decatur High School.
   

   Steve and Birti sharing a piece of coconut pie from Big Bob Gibson’s in Decatur.

8.  Steve loves, or should I say he values, wisdom and integrity. He is a man of few words who is also slow to speak. He keeps up with every penny he earns and spends, and being honest is worth more to him than any amount of money. In the areas of money and speaking few words, God must have had a great sense of humor to make ME his wife.
9. Steve loves good food and is the least picky person I know. Truly, he’ll eat anything. If he has a choice, he’ll stay away from fried foods and pork for health reasons, and he’d prefer not having cilantro or peppermint ice cream. But, in terms of what I’ve observed in most of the men in the world, I’d say he has a mighty short list of items he’d rather not eat.
10. Steve loves me, and I am oh, so glad he does. There hasn’t been a single second of our almost 47-year marriage that I have doubted that fact or had any reason to question his fidelity. I treasure every day we have together and love him with all my heart. Happy Birthday, Hon.
    

    Steve and me on our cruise to Alaska.

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. ³ He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”