To my daughters on the 16th anniversary of my marriage to your father...

"There is no more lovely,
friendly and charming relationship,
communion or company than a good marriage."
- Martin Luther

I sure hope MLK really did say the above.  :)

I've got it good.  Really, really good.  I'm excited about our future - I have so much hope for life and eternity with my incredible husband.

Thank you, Sean, for doing more than your fair share in creating a lovely, friendly and charming relationship and communion in our marriage.   

To my daughters (and Xander too...just applied a little differently),

Someday you'll read this, and I want you to remember to choose a companion that treats you like your Daddy treats me.  On Mother's Day and birthdays I always think, "Wow, this is just like almost every other day".    I know you can't see the future, and very often things don't turn out the way you think they will, but here are some things to look for.  Look for someone who treats his mother with the utmost respect and love.  Look for someone who likes to have fun (because that will be important if you're anything like me...haha), is willing to share in every household chore and can keep his mouth shut even when he knows he's right (sometimes hormones overcome reason).  Look for loyalty and work ethic and spirituality.  Look for someone who likes to picnic, hold babies and build castles with blocks.  Look for an optimist; your Daddy has seen me at my worst, and yet he lovingly focuses on the best parts of me, and continuously points them out to me in a grand effort at keeping my self-esteem in tact as I come face-to-face with my weaknesses and failings.  Look for someone who will defend you in public and praise you when you are nowhere near enough to hear.  Look for someone who doesn't mind patching the holes in your bike tube (and other manly activities), takes the time to write little notes for you when you will be apart for a while, and will carry your purse in public.  Watch for someone who opens doors for women, but lets her take the driver's seat every time she insists.  Look for someone who will do things that scare the crap out of him just because it's important to you.  Look for a man who will support you in every hard thing you undertake, and be your biggest cheerleader along the way.  Pray for a man like your Dad.  Pray hard. 

When I was in high school I used to think of and pray for the man who would one day be my husband.  Even if you feel silly, do the same.

He needn't be the most good-looking man on earth (too late, I already got that one).  He needn't be wealthy (just wealthy enough to pay his portion to God).  He needn't hold positions of importance in society (just positions of honor in his family).  He need only be willing to stick it out and keep remembering the good times when you are faced with the bad.  

That's your Dad.

Love,
Mom

*Xander,  I have a feeling you'll be just like your Daddy....