My J

(Reed)

First of all, why do I call him J? His first name is Justin (thats where I get the J) but his family has always called him by his middle name. Reed fits him much better anyways if you ask me ;). We rarely call each other by our actual names, instead we stick with Chelly and J. But there are so many more... some of the long list includes: Chelly Bean, Chelly B, Bean, Beanie, Beanie Babe, Bean pod, Chelbs and Sweet Bean for me, and JB, Guy, Jabe, Sweetheart, Baby, and even Jabriel (don't ask me).

Reed was born and raised in Hickory, North Carolina (near Charlotte) by two wonderful parents (John and Barb) with one brother (Cleve) and one sister (Julie). Reed is the youngest by five years and is a total momma's boy. Cleve and Julie are wonderful and each have two adorable kids of their own. I must admit that Reed's family was a huge perk to marrying him. No one could have better in-laws than the ones I have!

Although he would never admit it or think it himself, Reed is one of the smartest people I know, he is the type of person that when he hears something that strikes his interest or something he hasn't heard of before he will go and research it out of pure curiosity. I have never met anyone as anxious to learn as Reed. He is very well-mannered, and is an all around easy and enjoyable person to be around. He is very likable, I don't think I know a single person to not like Reed after meeting him. He is also very humble, so humble in fact that I'm sure he wouldn't like me going on about his strengths like this hehe ;).

Reed is interested in literature, he especially enjoys poetry (he has written me some beautiful poems and letters I will keep forever). He shares literature he likes with me and occasionally writes his own poems and short stories.

Though he has many hobbies and interests, if I had to pick a defining interest of Reed's it would be music. Reed knows a lot about all different kinds of music. One minute he will be listening to Johnny Cash, and then the next song will be Common or Kanye West, then the next song will be The Avett Brothers. He has one of the largest and diverse record collections I have ever seen that he has been adding to ever since his mom got him a record player when he was a kid (the original hipster hehe). Though he often forgets to charge his phone and leaves it behind, he will always have his Ipod and charges it every night (I'm the opposite!).

Reed has a specific style that I love. Some may call him indie but he just jokes that he has been wearing the same clothes and hairstyle since junior high and now they are finally cool. I may need to help him adapt as the styles change again but his hair and clothes are so darn cute I don't think I could.

Reed has influenced who I am and who I want to be (and vise versa) so much that I think we are slowly growing into the same person. We are very connected and I sometimes think I can read his mind (Reed wouldn't deny my mind-reading skillz ;)).

Reed is currently has an associate's degree in general studies and is now studying to become an English Teacher. After he gets his bachelor's degree he will join in the competition to become a seminary teacher in the CES program. If that doesn't go according to plan, there has been talk of going on to getting his master's to be a college professor and then maybe a PhD (see? he loves learning a lot more than I do!).

Well that is all I will say about my sweetheart before your brain turns to mush with all this lovey dovey nonsense! ;)

-ChellytheBean