Dear Future Husband: Thoughts On Family

Dear Future Husband,

This last month has been incredibly hard, probably the most difficult of this year. It has been a time period where I have learned so much about honoring family. Some of the happiest times I've had over the last month have been with my family. I spend a lot of time with both sets of parents. On the days that I don't see my adopted Mom I call her. I have a meal or coffee with my adopted Dad regularly. Tuesday nights I have dinner with my parents. These are some of my favorite times.

I hope as a couple we find ways to honor our parents. I hope that in doing so, we grow in our relationships with them. That we model to our children and our friends and family what that looks like. I hope that we prioritize these relationships. That we encourage our children to have healthy relationships with their grandparents as the grandparent role is so special. That we establish family traditions.

Love,
Your wife

Dear Future Husband: Insights from My Parents

Dear Future Husband,

The other day Dad and I were having lunch while Mom was on the phone with my Oma in Holland. Mom and Oma talk every single day. My Dad leaned over and he said,

"When Mom gets old, you have to promise to call her every day. You also need to move into the neighborhood so we can see you and your husband and our grandkids all the time."

Later in the afternoon Mom and I were in the car talking about friends and relationships and you. She said, "You know what, no matter who you marry, Dad and I will love him because you love him and he makes you happy."

I want you to know that you are already loved so much. That you are prayed for. That my parents already love you even though they don't know you yet. That as the head of my family, my Dad wants the best for you and wants you to eventually be the head of our family. For that, I am so grateful.

Love,
Your wife

For My Future Mr.

To my darling husband,

Even before we met or were even married, I've been praying for you and for our relationship.

I pray that you are kind, wise, strong, humble and courageous in all that you do.

I pray that you seek the Lord and continually pursue a relationship with him each and every day.

I pray that you have a wonderful family whom you love and that loves you.

I pray that you have friends that you can go the distance with and Christian men that you are accountable to.

I pray that you are kind and respectful to your Mother and grandmothers and to anyone that is older than you.

I pray that you have mentors who are speaking into your life.

I pray that you never stop learning.

I pray that you take care of your health.

I pray that you make careful decisions with your finances.

I pray that you work hard and that you love what you do.

I pray that you have activities and hobbies that you love that fill your time.

I pray that you are actively involved in your church community.

I pray that you love to laugh.

I pray that you will be the head of our marriage and our family.

I pray that you will ask David for my hand in marriage and that you will work hard to have a good relationship with him.

I pray that as the provider of our family, you will have favor in all that you do.

I pray that as a couple that we will seek the Lord together in all that we do and that we will keep the Lord at the center of our marriage.

I pray that as a couple that we will pray together regularly.

I pray that as a couple that we will be actively involved in our church community.

I pray that as a couple we will help each other pursue our dreams.

I pray that as a couple we will learn how to effectively communicate with each other.

I pray that as a couple we will learn each others love languages and be respectful of them.

I pray that as a couple, together we can build a home that is a safe place not only for our children, but for all who enter it.

I pray that as a couple that we will make a point of getting along and spending quality time separately and together with each others best friends.

I pray for our children, that we will pray for and with them daily and that we speak words of blessing over them.

I pray for you as our children's father, that you may show them the love that the Father has shown us and that you will be everything that they need in a Dad.

I pray that as a couple that we will fight fairly and that we will be respectful of each other. That we can speak the truth in love to each other, even when it's hard.

I pray that as a couple that we always flirt with each other and never stop pursuing one another.

With all my love,
Your wife