Dear Boyfriend,

Merry Christmas! I am so blessed to spend this holiday season with you. Being able to spend this Christmas with you is the greatest gift I could ever receive. I wanted to take the time to remind you how lucky I am to have you in the midst of the holiday chaos.

Looking back to our first date who would of thought that we would mean this much to each other now. You have changed my life in so many ways and have shaped me into a better person. There is no other person that I would want to spend this holiday season with. There is no one I would rather decorate gingerbread houses with, no one I would rather binge watch Christmas movies with, no one I would rather decorate the Christmas tree with and no one I would rather get matching Christmas pajamas with. I am taking the time to thank you for everything you have done for me in 2016.

Thank you for always supporting me.

Thank you for always being my shoulder to cry on and my biggest cheerleader. Thank you for always picking me up when I am down and encouraging me to do my best. You are always my sunshine on my cloudiest days.

Thank you for all of your hugs and kisses.

You always know how to cheer me up by flooding me with your hugs and kisses. Your big hugs and kisses can always instantly turn my day around.

Thank you for always being my dinner date.

Our multiple dates at the local Mexican restaurant is always the highlight of my week. No matter how many times we go out to eat I always look forward to seeing you on the other-side of the booth.

Thank you for being so hardworking.

I know that getting up early every morning and working all day is hard sometimes but I applaud you for doing it. You have shown me what a hard worker looks like and the rewards for being one.

Thank you for helping me with my homework.

I know that helping me with my homework is the last thing you want to do after being at school yourself all day or being at work. You always help me in any way that you can with a smile on your face and you have no idea how much that means to me.

Thank you for being silly with me.

We have made so many funny memories in 2016 because we are always ourselves around each other. There is not a day that goes by that your funny faces does not make me laugh.

Thank you for always being honest with me.

You never hold anything back from me and always tell me exactly what you think. You tell me your honest opinion which has helped me in many situations.

Thank you for all of the memories.

We have been to so many places together this year and have made many memories. I will always cherish our beach trips, kayaking adventures, our Grandfather mountain trip, our Biltmore House trip and the many 5k's that we completed together. Of course I can not forget our zoo trip where you kept comparing yourself to the monkeys or our trips hiking to the waterfalls and you having to carry me back up the hills. I know this year was full of so many memories and photographs and 2017 will be full of even more.

Thank you for going after your dreams.

You never let any obstacles get in the way of your dreams and always strive to do your best. Completing your basic law enforcement training was only a part of the many accomplishments but during that time you showed me to not give up. You had many days where you were tired and wanted to give up but you showed me that you can never achieve anything without hard work.

Last but not least, Thank you for being you.

Thank you for being so big hearted and caring. Thank you for being so loving and kind. Thank you for always putting a smile on so many people's faces and looking at the bright side. You always put other people first and put your needs second. You are a person that people look up to and know that they can depend on. You never fail to impress me with the way you carry yourself and there is not a day goes by that I am not thankful for you.

With more love than you could imagine,

Me.