40 Reasons I Love Bryan Mason

My Life

Happy 40th birthday, Bryan! A few of the reasons I adore you:

1. On our first trip to Argentina, you were excited about my suggestion that we spend two hours a day of our vacation in private tango lessons.
2. When I’m upset, you infuriate me by cracking jokes until I laugh.
3. You took me on a road trip with our 5-week old baby.
4. You have a steel-plated backbone.
5. On one of our first dates, you took me on a surprise kayak camping trip. You packed candles and a tablecloth.
6. You make a mean chili.
7. You cried over our vows.
8. If it’s important, and you say you’ll do it, you do it.
9. When someone handed you the microphone unexpectedly at one of Hillary Clinton’s rallies, you introduced a stage full of political bigwigs, one by one, without a list of their names.
10. You’re humble about your smarts.
11. It takes you about an hour to wrap a present so it meets your standards.
12. You’re a fighter.
13. Your resume is so absurd, it reads like fiction.
14. You’re helpful.
15. You taught me to respect bourbon.
16. You look incredible in a suit. Or a white cotton undershirt.
17. You’d be just as comfortable chatting with a Nobel Laureate or the drunkest guy at the dive bar.
18. You have more energy than anyone.
19. You can’t wait for the new episode of Dancing with the Stars.
20. You’re one of the kindest people I know.
21. When you’re phone rings, and the caller ID reads unknown, you assume it’s the Secret Service because it almost always is.
22. You like to help.
23. Once you’re in the shower, there’s no telling when I’ll see you again.
24. You have a lovely voice.
25. You married our friends in English, German, and Chinese.
26. You always smell good.
27. You take me seriously when I ask you how my makeup looks.
28. You love to celebrate.
29. You drink the water, eat at roadside stands, sample charcuterie in a village with 12 houses, and you never get sick.
30. You make things go.
31. When you arrive at the bar, you’re there to close it.
32. You are snuggly.
33. When you dip me, I know you won’t drop me.
34. You like to make things.
35. You’re an optimist.
36. I have never had to ask you to do the dishes.
37. You love to swim.
38. When I asked you to stop pointing out coiffed and professionally lit ex-girlfriends while we were watching TV, you did.
39. You can’t stay mad.
40. If our little boy grows up to be exactly like you, I’ll be proud.

Published

67 thoughts on “40 Reasons I Love Bryan Mason”

  1. Maggie, I love you and I love this list. I got divorced last year and lists like this remind me that it was exactly the right thing for me. I would love to feel about someone the way you feel about your husband, and I hope someday I will.

    Happy Birthday, Bryan. You’re a lucky guy.

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  10. What a great guy! Happy Birthday!
    It’s nice that he is “helpful” and he “likes to help”.

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  11. Jesus, after reading that, I think I love him too. You are so lucky! (You both are!)

    This is a great idea and a very good reminder of what we need to say to each other, every day. My 10th anniversary is coming up, and now I have decided I’m making him a top 10 list of reasons I love him. 🙂 Thanks for the inspiration!

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  14. Bryan, Maggie has raised the bar for husbandhood; that is, to your level.
    I hope I can just remember 20 of the 40 items she listed; let alone do them!

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  15. What a lovely list for someone who sounds like a lovely man. I am so glad he has a lovely wife who appreciates him !

    All my best to both of you, and many happy returns of the day Bryan.

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  16. Happy Birthday, Bryan! Maggie–CLONE THAT MAN! You will make a fortune. Put me down for the first one, please. Thank you. (I just turned 40, too.)

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  21. Um, you just made me love your husband too.

    That is a really beautiful tribute. And I’m totally stealing this idea for my equally-wonderful husband’s upcoming 5-0.

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  23. So then, does Bryan have a brother? Somewhere, on… say… the East Coast? Between DC and NY? Just wondering.

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  28. Wow, beautiful way to celebrate his day, and every day! What a wonderful tribute to honor the man that you love – and who we love just a little bit now too!

    Happy Birthday Bryan!

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  32. Well, this just made me cry. This is SUCH a great list, it makes me want to write my own. Happiest of birthdays Bryan!

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  33. Pingback: Teary Eyed « this is temporary

  34. All right, if you insist on making me believe there are good men out there, I suppose I’ll hold out a little longer…

    But I have to ask: Does the Secret Service thing not make you nervous, a little? I try not to let Hollywood too far into my head, but I think that would scare me.

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  44. Thanks for sharing this, and Happy Birthday, Bryan!

    I hope Bryan prints this out and keeps it somewhere so if he ever has a bad day he can be reminded of what a marvelous wife, partner, and #1 fan he has. Cheers to you both.

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