The Two Men in my Life

My husband and my father together

I have two men in my life, my father and my husband.

My father is one of the most committed, dedicated men you'll ever meet.  For over thirty years he's pursued God, loved the same woman, worked the same job, and supported his children.  As a child, I would wrestle him, chase him, and run from him, giggling all the while... now my children - his grandchildren - do the same.

"Papaw, get me!  Get me, Papaw!"

"Let's play, Papaw!"

"Wanna wrestle, Papaw?"

Sometimes, there are no words; it's just D I V E --- and then, T A C K L E :o)

My father and I

Once, a long time ago, my father said to me, "Thank you for being my daughter."  It seemed a little silly at the time, but it has stuck with me through the years.  Really, I am the one who should say, "Dad, thank you for being my Dad."  I know that being a dad - especially a good one - isn't an easy task, but he always made it seem so effortless.  He loves us, and it shows.

My mother and father and I in the 1970s

My father works hard, but he always makes time for fun.  We took a family vacation every single year, pinching pennies if need be.  We went camping.  We went fishing.  We went canoeing.  WE DID THINGS.  Together.  As a family.

Now that I am older, I hope for the same experiences and memories with my own family, my own children.  And you know what?  I have the most amazing man to plan it with. 

The man I married is, like my father, committed and dedicated.  He works hard to care for his family.  He loves us tremendously.  He cherishes our time together.  And sometimes, I wrestle him, chase him, and run from him, too :o) 

This man is one who never witnessed a successful marriage in his family.  He was born to a single mom, raised by a poor single aunt, and then finished his teen years in a foster home.  His childhood was not an easy one, and so it is a HUGE statement when I say that he is an AMAZING husband and father.  You see, it was never modeled for him.  He didn't have that life.  No father, no committed mother, no Papaw to wrestle with.  None of that.

How can a man come from such a background, having such a bleak history with no male role models to speak of, have an adoring wife, an enduring marriage, and be a exemplary father to his children?  I'll tell you:

He has a relationship with THE Father.

He has committed his life to the passionate pursuit of Christ and devotes time to prayer and the Word.  God has transformed his life and renewed his mind. 

Though he has nothing to refer back to in his past when he ponders the meaning of family, he has God directing him, guiding him, showing him the way.  And, being the wonderful man that he is, he follows... so that he can, in turn, help guide us.

I love this man more that words can say.  We've been married over ten years now, and I'd do it all over again.  I pray we have at least fifty more together.  Pierre, you are a treasure, and I am beyond blessed to be your wife.

Happy Father's Day to the two most special men in my life.  I love you both.


    With Much Love,



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