Why I Love Diego

I found this old journal entry I had written 3 years ago...just a few months after marrying Diego. It's a sweet reminder to me of all the reasons I need to cherish him everyday. Nowadays life can get so busy with two kiddos, and I sometimes take Diego for granted...forgetting how blessed I really am to have such a wonderful man in my life. Here's to you, Diegs...

                                                                                       I discover that I love Diego more every day.

I love Diego because he makes the bed, washes the dishes, takes out the trash, cleans up after himself, helps me get in and out of the truck, steadies me when walking on ice, tells me I look beautiful, lets me laugh as loud as I want or vent as much as I need too. And when I’m extremely tired he puts up with me being either ridiculously silly or frustratingly grouchy. He lets me be myself completely. He is very thoughtful and tender and patient with me, yet I appreciate so much that he will be serious and stern with me when he needs to be. I love that he is always asking me how I feel and what I want. He is so concerned for my comfort, well-being and happiness.

I love him because he makes me laugh everyday, treats me like a queen, is honest and open about his feelings and frustrations, keeps me in line, lets me know what I'm doing well and inspires me to improve in my weaker areas. I love Diego because he is full of surprises, but not when it comes to his behavior. He has never put on a front or masked his true self from me. He does what he wants, how he wants and speaks his mind without reservation. Yet, when I show disapproval he will listen, explain his reasoning and respect our differences. Diego is often quick to apologize and even more quick to forgive. He is never too stubborn to admit at times that he was wrong.

I love him because he can get me to talk and open up in ways that nobody else could. I am not the same closed-up, fearful girl; no more doubts about giving my whole heart and living happily ever after. I love him because he is so good with people; he takes time to really talk and listen and build meaningful relationships. He embraces my friends and family as his own. Diego loves children and they love him back immediately. He treats them with respect and makes them feel so special. Diego is truly in his element when playing with or caring for children. I love Diego because he is patient and doesn't believe in rushing through life; keeping everything fast-paced. This is something I do innately and never wished to change, until now.

I love Diego because he is incredibly handsome and has a smile that still warms me. Diego looks dashing when he's all dressed up for work or church. He looked absolutely stunning when I saw him in the temple for the first time, and at both our New Mexico and Utah receptions. Diego is also striking in jeans and a polo shirt or in sweat pants and a t-shirt.... sneakers, boots, socks…a beanie or a cowboy hat…he is always the handsomest man in the world to me. Diego always smells really great too and has such perfect skin...so completely kissable!

I love that Diego enjoys eating good wholesome food—not junk. He keeps up his manly physique by going to the gym regularly and really pushing himself. He is very athletic and loves getting together with friends to play basketball, soccer or go snowboarding. Best of all, he always invites me to come along and put my whole heart into the game! Diego is not a big fan of running or biking, however, he will do these things with me just because he knows I love them. He is extremely competitive in sports but will let others win if it means boosting their morale.

I love Diego because he loves to have fun and chase after adventure. He loves 4-wheeling, dirt-biking, racing, doing donuts on the ice, extreme sledding, off-trail hiking, target shooting, etc. By pulling me into his “crazy” world, Diego has helped me to loosen up and enjoy life on a whole new level. Diego also enjoys such things as watching movies (high action, suspense, funny cartoons). He seldom watches TV, but when he does it’s usually BYUTV, History or Discovery Channel. Diego loves and is very good at Latin dancing, playing the guitar and ukulele, woodwork, repairing things…and really, just about everything he tries!

I love Diego because I can feel how much he loves me by the way he serves me and because he tells me so everyday. I love him because he is romantic. I can’t count all the times he has bought me flowers or given me one freshly picked. I treasure the many poems he has written for me—long, thoughtful, creative and often with a touch of his trademark humor.

Finally, I love Diego because he loves the Lord and he loves his family with all his heart. I love him because he cherishes and has great faith in his Patriarchal Blessing, and I love Diego because he honors his Priesthood. I love Diego because of the way he speaks and writes so reverently about the temple. He truly understands that it is the House of the Lord and that God and angels are present therein. I love him because his testimony is very strong and very personal to him. I love him because he makes his scriptures his constant companions and keeps a regular journal. His writing is so beautiful and sincere. I love praying with Diego. It is in these moments that our union feels more indestructible than ever. I feel safe and so peaceful in his arms or in the clasp of his hand. He is everything I'd hoped for in a husband, and more.