Here she is in all her 1st grade glory…missing front teeth, cute little knobbly knees and oh, so eager to please her teacher. So sweet, she charmed every teacher’s classroom that she graced. She charmed us all, even as she bended us to her will, as daughters are known to do! But what a sweet time it’s been, raising this cutie into a beautiful, intelligent, young woman who gives herself tirelessly to the Pediatric ICU at a Round Rock Children’s hospital. It has been rewarding and challenging and in 13 days she will create her own family unit with her heart’s destiny. They will begin their own family traditions and navigate their new life as a young couple in love.
It’s a bittersweet time for her father and me. We are ready for another man to be responsible for her (this follows our empty-nester theme!) but I am also a little sad. I can’t believe that 25 years has passed and brought us to this point when she will walk down the aisle, away from our family and into a new one. Of course I know that she is not “leaving” us but that we are adding a son to our fold, but really, they will be their own entity. There are so many things that I wish for them and so many tidbits of advice/wisdom I’d like to share, acquired over 27 years of marriage; some of these things they will have to learn on their own. But here are a couple of nuggets that I like to share with every couple on the cusp of their marriage.
- You have to CHOOSE to be in love. Every day. It is a choice, it does not just happen.
- The most important job you will ever have is to be a husband or wife. So treat it like it’s important. Don’t take for granted that your spouse will always be there. If you value your employment enough to be on your best behavior, you should treat your marriage the same way.
- The marriage is the foundation of your family. Even after children arrive, you should always treat the relationship with your spouse as the most important relationship. A happy family will follow. Children learn their place in the order and they are happiest when Mom and Dad put their marriage first.
So here’s to Jake & Kate – please join me in wishing them all of the success and happiness that being with your soulmate can bring!
See the Menu of the Week tab to see what I’m cooking this week and then I’m off for two!