Dear Future Daughter

Dear Future Daughter,

It's crazy to think that you're somewhere on this big blue planet, right now... maybe in pre-kindergarten like your husband-to-be, maybe not even in school yet... maybe graduating High School like your future-father-in-law was while I was still in Middle School. But that's a whole other letter.

You might have a play-date today after school. Or perhaps your parents have a conference with your teacher. Tonight Eli will be playing with his sister and hanging out with his dad and me. I wonder what traditions your family has.

I often think about you, and wonder what you're doing while Eli is coloring me a picture or playing superhero, rescuing us from monsters and aliens. Do you have a brother or sister, or a puppy to play with? Do you share a room with someone? Are your eyes brown like Eli's, or are they blue? Are you a little pain-in-the-rear about having your toe nails trimmed too?

My daughter-to-be, while I care about these things and everything about you, what I really pray for are the things we can't always see. I pray you are surrounded by loved ones who are affectionate and playful with you. I pray that you are affirmed as the wonderful creature you are every day. I pray you are filled with the knowledge of God's immense love for you. I pray there's a man in your life who models being a man of integrity on a daily basis. I hope you see your dad kiss your mom and hold her hand when they walk together. Or if your parents aren't together, that you aren't basing your idea of romance off of what you see on TV, because that stuff is not real. I pray you see your mom prized like the jewel she is... that you see her doted on and lavished with praise, because the young man you are going to marry has not only seen ME praised and valued, but he's never known a day of insignificance in his life.

He is being raised to open car doors and store doors for ladies. His father will one day teach him that it is his responsibility to pay for your dates, to walk to the door and pick you up, and return you with all of your clothing and all of your self-esteem in-tact at the end of the night. He will be taught that real men don't participate in activities they would be ashamed of their moms knowing about. When you mess up, I pray you have a repentant heart.

You have big shoes to fill. Up to this point, his sister and I have been the number one and two ladies in his life. We love him more than anything in this world, but know that we must let him fly at some point. And when you’re in, you’re in, you’re family. Eli has learned to treat us like the special ladies we are. He is fiercely protective of both of us and is being trained to do the same for you and your future children.

Eli has been raised to speak kindly to you, to value your hard work, to help in the kitchen and with the housework to show how much he appreciates you. He will understand that you are a VERY important part of your household.

He is not perfect. He could survive on yogurt, fruit and macaroni and cheese. He thinks Cheetos are a dairy product. He sometimes slobbers and talks in his sleep. He forgets to flush the toilet after he uses the restroom. Drama runs DEEEEEEPLY in his veins. But young lady, you are receiving the best gift you could have ever received on this side of eternity when you take his hand. He is responsible, trustworthy, honest and hilarious. Our house if filled with laughter every single day. If you knew the treasure you will receive in him, you'd find it hard to concentrate on anything else for the next twenty years or so until he's ready. So, wherever you are, whatever you're doing, whoever you're with... we are praying for you. We love you already.

Oh, and what I pray for you most is that you have a personal, living, breathing relationship with the One who laid His life down for yours. Your husband does. I see him live intimately with Him every day. He has learned early how to pray and trust in God.

Love,
Mom

PS. I fully plan on being the next best thing to your own mom for the rest of my life. You're stuck with me. Be thankful. And scared ;-)

PPS Eli has already promised me that he is going to be our next door neighbor when he grows up, so you’ll be seeing a lot of me. I promise not to butt in too much.