sweat is attractive

Our back patio.

It's not very big but it's gorgeous if maintained. Usually, Husband and I do a good job at keeping it groomed and nice. But seeing as we've been so busy the last few months, well...it kind of got put on the back burner.

It doesn't help that Sawyer goes potty out there. The plants were over grown. The ground littered with fallen leaves and flowers. The area that Sawyer did his business was soaked with stinky urine and wood chips that at one point had poops on them. (I'm painting you a pretty nice picture, yeah?) Basically, it was becoming unpleasant to go out there and that made us sad. Especially since we both love gardening!

Well, Husband and I finally got motivated and completely cleared out and cleaned our back patio. It's quite a chore especially since we're not, ya know, gardeners. This means that I cut the hedges and bushes with kitchen shears. Matt tilled the earth and removed the top 6 inches of soil with an awkward shovel. And we disposed of the soiled dirt and hedge clippings in garbage bags, which...have you ever tried to do? It's a lot harder than it sounds.

It wasn't until after we finished that I got to look at all our hard work. My back hurt. My hands were sore, dirty. But despite that I felt so good! So happy and accomplished. I couldn't help but smile as I watched Matt scoop and fill the last bag and tie the ends. I noticed his hands were also dirty. His brow wet with sweat.

I told him not to move as I ran in the house and grabbed my camera. I had to capture how beautiful he looked!

So I could remember this "ah-HA!" moment I had.

He looked so attractive to me like that...exhausted, tired and sweaty. It was evidence of how hard he was working. Evidence of his WORK. And I had this overwhelming amount of love and appreciation for this man that works so very hard. He is the hardest working man I know!

It may sound cheesy but it was perfect.

I closed my eyes and breathed in the sweet air that California is blessed with and thanked my heavenly father for such a beautiful world, and such a hard working husband to share it with.