Well Done

Dear Husband,

When I married you almost 25 years ago, I was young and naive. I had no idea that I was getting more than a soul mate and a lover for life. I was getting the father to my children. I wish I could whisper into that young bride’s ear with the knowledge I have now. ” You are a blessed woman, ” I would tell her. ” You are about to marry a man who is loyal, whose heart is for you completely, and he will serve you and your children with the wisdom and love that only God can give.” I wish I could tell her, not only to deepen her anticipation, but to increase her appreciation for you. You have been all those things, and I am deeply grateful.

I love your hands. They represent the strength and tenderness that is only found in the hands of a father.  You didn’t know you would be a father so soon. I know it frightened you when we found out six weeks into our marriage that we would have a baby to parent. God gave her to us right away! He knew what we needed, although we were uncertain. We wouldn’t trade that gift for anything now.

You were in school but went to work right away. You had other plans, and it was hard. I know. You felt the need to provide, and with God’s help, you did. You thought your music would be a thing of the past, but God had bigger plans. He always does.

For a time, you had to lay down your guitar and pick up a shovel digging ditches, literally, at a golf course making 7 dollars an hour. This to feed your new little family. Your biceps grew stronger as did your determination to do what you thought was right. At night you would come home exhausted from the heat and physical labor on the course. I was so proud of you. Not long after that, you worked selling cars. I remember we went to Goodwill to find your first work shirt and tie. You worked hard and God continued to provide.

I will never know how hard that was for you, but I want you know I am deeply thankful. Thank you for working so diligently to take care of us. Thank you for trusting God and leading our little family on his path. He has honored you for that and I am quite certain He is not done.

Two years after Katie came, Annie was born, and then finally, our son Johnny.

Tonight as we told daddy stories to celebrate Father’s Day, I was touched by how much the kids remember your playing games with them and taking them on adventures when they were little. I know what they do not. When they were growing up, you were working 12 to 14 hour days, with one day off during the week, and you usually got home after 9. I know it took a lot of energy and focus to sit down and play with them, or take them through the woods on scavenger hunts. You were intentional with them. They will treasure that forever and so will I. Thank you for that.

And now? Now it seems they are all grown. The fruit is falling heavy and fragrant, and you are a big part of that.

Thank you. Thank you for loving me so sacrificially. You are that way. I don’t know many people like you. In fact, I think you are extremely rare. You are always working to be better on the inside, always measuring your life against the life of Christ. Always looking for a better way to serve. How could everyone who knows you not benefit from that? We are all so blessed by you.

I love you, my soul mate, my one true love, and amazing father to my children. I am indeed a blessed woman.

Happy Father’s Day, my husband.

Your happy wife

Psalm 128: 1-4 ~”Blessed are all who fear the Lord,  who walk in obedience to him. You will eat the fruit of your labor;  blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Yes, this will be the blessing for the man who fears the Lord.”