Love, Marriage, and Fatherhood
On Saturday, as I wrote about last week, I witnessed the marriage of my baby sister to her outstanding husband and my newest brother. It was one of the most memorable moments I have had the pleasure of experiencing in her life. She was just beautiful, and, for the first time ever, didn't seem like such a little girl to me. I watched her take charge of the littlest details of her wedding, coordinate every movement and nuance with such confidence and authority, and carry herself with as much dignity, poise, and grace as any bride I have ever seen. She was impressive, and I was very proud. I couldn't believe the woman I saw standing before all the guests and proudly pledging her love to her husband. It, as I stated before, makes me wonder even more what it will be like to watch my own daughters grow and experience such happiness.
The reception was an absolute party. I love wedding receptions, and I always have. My wife and I, unencumbered by the children, shared a much needed and much deserved date: dancing, drinking, and genuinely enjoying ourselves. It is rare that I get to hold my wife in my arms and dance with her, and the experience never grows old. I can still look into her eyes, see the perfect mother of my children, the most beautiful woman I could ever have hoped to have the privilege of sharing my life with, and thank God that I did something to warrant having her by my side. I love her so much. My aunts, who always remark on her beauty and who did just that on Saturday, told me what a lucky man I am. I responded as I always do: I don't need to be told that. I never take anything for granted and wake every day astonished and grateful that she is in my life.
Sunday was Father's Day, and it was also the best I've ever had. My wife ordered a personalized tie for me which bears the names of all of my children and boasts "We Love Daddy" at the bottom. This, of course, is now one of my favorite items of apparel. I plan to wear the heck out of it as I do each picture badge of the children that I receive at their births. My wife also got me a Cleveland Indians tee-shirt which in addition to the scripted Indians logo on the front, presents a number 1 on the back under the word Dad where one's name is normally found. Nothing makes me prouder than my family, and, though I still can't believe that I am the father of four great children, I love being "Dad." I love being the man my father trained me to become. The blessings that fill my life are unbelievable, and through the experiences of seeing my sister's wedding and reflecting on the vows my wife and I made to each other, falling in love with my wife more and more each day and sharing moments like the ones we shared this weekend, and celebrating father's day with the family of my dreams, I have reaffirmed the joy that each of these has brought to my life and have a renewed sense of vigor and enthusiasm for the life I lead.
Thank you to my wife, my children, and all of my family.
Oh how sweet it is!!
The reception was an absolute party. I love wedding receptions, and I always have. My wife and I, unencumbered by the children, shared a much needed and much deserved date: dancing, drinking, and genuinely enjoying ourselves. It is rare that I get to hold my wife in my arms and dance with her, and the experience never grows old. I can still look into her eyes, see the perfect mother of my children, the most beautiful woman I could ever have hoped to have the privilege of sharing my life with, and thank God that I did something to warrant having her by my side. I love her so much. My aunts, who always remark on her beauty and who did just that on Saturday, told me what a lucky man I am. I responded as I always do: I don't need to be told that. I never take anything for granted and wake every day astonished and grateful that she is in my life.
Sunday was Father's Day, and it was also the best I've ever had. My wife ordered a personalized tie for me which bears the names of all of my children and boasts "We Love Daddy" at the bottom. This, of course, is now one of my favorite items of apparel. I plan to wear the heck out of it as I do each picture badge of the children that I receive at their births. My wife also got me a Cleveland Indians tee-shirt which in addition to the scripted Indians logo on the front, presents a number 1 on the back under the word Dad where one's name is normally found. Nothing makes me prouder than my family, and, though I still can't believe that I am the father of four great children, I love being "Dad." I love being the man my father trained me to become. The blessings that fill my life are unbelievable, and through the experiences of seeing my sister's wedding and reflecting on the vows my wife and I made to each other, falling in love with my wife more and more each day and sharing moments like the ones we shared this weekend, and celebrating father's day with the family of my dreams, I have reaffirmed the joy that each of these has brought to my life and have a renewed sense of vigor and enthusiasm for the life I lead.
Thank you to my wife, my children, and all of my family.
Oh how sweet it is!!