Lyni

Lyni is, first and always, a wife and mother — that’s the role she pours herself into most, and it shows in a thousand small acts of service and kindness every single day.

The time we spend together is full of laughter and affection and devotion. Whether it’s a latte along the river or soaking up the sun on a beach in Hawaii, we are happiest simply being together.

As a mother, she loves our children more than anyone or anything. She patiently endures the frustrations of raising kids through the hard stretches — including the teenage years — and helps them make it through to the other side. They adore her; they can’t wait for her to walk in the door after work, and they count down to her days off. She takes advantage of every minute she gets with them, whether that’s a trip to the local bowling alley or letting them pick out a trinket at the store. And she makes sure they understand what it means to sacrifice and think of others, not just themselves — teaching them through service to friends and neighbors, not just telling them.

That same devotion carries into her work. She’s a critical care nurse who finished at the top of her nursing class, and she works twelve-hour days caring for patients at their most vulnerable. Her patients feel it too — the feedback she gets makes clear they know she genuinely cares about their recovery and will do whatever it takes to help them.

She is patient, caring, gentle, and firm when she needs to be. She’s selfless and loving, smart and funny, sweet, thoughtful, and compassionate. Whether she’s at home or at the hospital, the throughline is the same: she shows up completely for the people she’s responsible for.

There’s no one else with whom I’d rather build a future. I love her more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow.