To my Dearest Daughter (and anyone looking for their partner in life):
Marry a man who loves what he does for a living—a man who makes a difference because he is passionate about helping others and putting his heart and soul into everything he does.
Marry a man who is strong-willed, because he will help hold you accountable.
Marry a man you can voice your opinion with, so you can challenge one another and both of your voices can make a difference. Because of this, you will be bolder and stronger, individually and as a couple.
Marry a man who is easy on the eyes, but his heart even more exhilarating and jaw-dropping. After all, the heart is what you’ll be married to when you’re 90, grey-haired and using walkers.
Marry a man who is the same person at church and at home.
Marry a man who always opens the door for you and occasionally throws in “my lady” to make you feel like a Queen. Because you are his Queen.
Marry a man whose gaze wanders to you as you walk into the room. Marry a man who notices all the little things about you – your dimples and the birthmark on your leg.
Marry a man whose arms feel safe. A man who protects you and has your back through thick and thin.
Marry a man who supports your dreams and tells you that you can do anything your heart desires. And means it.
Marry a man who doesn’t mind getting on the floor to play with your kids. A man who teaches, plays, tries to have patience and strives to live by example.
Marry a man who isn’t dependent on drugs or alcohol to make him happy. A man who is present in the moment – through the good and the bad. The highs and the lows.
Marry a man who is the spiritual leader of the home. A man who wants his entire family at church together. A man who admits he doesn’t have it all together but wants Jesus to be the ruler of His life. A man who will raise your children with godly values.
Marry a man who will bring you flowers or your favorite coffee from time to time.
Marry a man who you can workout with, take road trips with, and just enjoy hanging out and watching TV with.
Marry a man who doesn’t encourage you to push boundaries that shouldn’t be pushed.
Baby girl, I pray that you marry a man like your father—someone who strives to be all of the above. Our love and our relationship have never and never will be perfect, but marriage is about growing together. Marriage is about challenging one another. Raising a family together and learning a long the way. It’s supporting each other’s dreams and helping to instill that same passion and fire into your children.
Marriage is Saturday morning soccer games cheering on your children, Sunday dinners, family movie nights, and tickle fights in the living room. It’s yard work on Saturday mornings and the occasional date night where you keep talking about how much you miss your kids and things they would do if they were with you.
Marriage is beautiful and messy and chaotic. If you are single or dating, I pray that you find the man God has for you – whose values align with yours.
If you are married, I pray that you take the time to enjoy soccer games, yard work, and family movie nights together. Make memories through it all. Etch those memories into your heart and treasure them forever.
