It is not Father’s Day or my dad’s birthday (though it will be next week!) or my parents’ anniversary… but I recently found something beautiful that my mom wrote about my dad a long time ago and I asked her if I could share it.
Way back in the summer of 1981, when I was not yet a year old, Audrey was 3, my brother Adam was 7 and my brother Keith was 9, my mom kept a diary in which she wrote letters to us about life at that time (kind of similar to a blog, really… just not on the not-yet-invented Internet).
I am sure she intended for us to read them years and years later, which, of course I did. (And let me say, I am amazed that this simple, nondescript diary has traveled unscathed over the course of these last 29 years, between three houses.)
It’s pretty evident just by reading my mom’s blog that my parents have an incredible marriage. They love, respect, support, encourage and admire each other every single day, in every possible way. They are each other’s best friend.
I know this because I see it. And I get it even more now that I am an adult, because I have been around – and in – relationships that just don’t have what my parents have.
So it was not surprising to find the following passage in my mom’s diary, but it was heartwarming and incredibly touching – and gave me happy tears – nonetheless. Especially knowing that her feelings have not changed one bit in 29 years.
It says:
You should know how deeply and how constantly I love your Daddy. I only wish for you two that the man you pick to spend your life with will be like your Dad. He is strong and so intelligent, and more loving and caring and sensitive than any man. He loves you two and Keith and Adam to the point of tears. He is a man to love, to talk to, to kiss and hug. You are safe, and you will always be happy with your Daddy.
We must always take care of him.
Good night, my beautiful family!!
Each word in that passage is true. Not only is my dad an amazing husband, but I could not imagine a more incredible father.
One day, a few months ago, my mom and I were talking how sweet, caring and hard-working Brian is, and my mom said, “I hope you know you are dating your father in a 25-year-old’s body.”
I couldn’t think of a higher compliment.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for loving each other and for loving your family the way you do.
Ah, that’s so awesome! Thanks for sharing!
TEARS. What a gift your family is Jane. -Christine
Oh Jane… that is powerful and so awesome your mom did this! What a huge compliment that was about Brian as well.
You have such a great family Jane 🙂
What a wonderful gift your mom has given you & your siblings, and ALSO those nieces and nephews and (ahem) your possible future kids. To have such concrete proof of their connection is beautiful.
Love. That is all I can say.
So true. I get to witness it everyday and it is never lost on me how rare it is!
Oh my God Jane, that brought tears to my eyes. All those things are so very true about your dad, and he would only be in love and so very happily married to someone just as amazing, like your mom. I am so very very lucky to be married to my best friend as well. Thanks for sharing this, it just reminded me of how fortunate I am to have Ron, and such an incredible extended family.
Love u all
Janie…I knew that that journal existed but I’ve never read any of it or even opened it. I’m happy that Mom have shared it with you. And that you’ve now shared some of it with us (by us, I mean like the entire world). I know that I am blessed to have all of you in my life and it put a lump in my throat to actually see in words these feelings that Mom wrote about me 29 years ago.
And it’s because of this love that I receive from you and Mom and Keith and Adam and Audrey and our grandchildren and all of our extended family and friends, that I realize that I am truly the Luckiest man in the world.
Your a KING!
Yes, I’m a KING!
Thanks Janie. He’s the same Dad today that he was 29 years ago.
Amazing. Just amazing. Jane, I’ve learned so much from your Mom in these past few years I’ve “known” her through blogging. She is such a wonderful example of a stong and amazing wife and mother. I love this journal and it’s something that I may just put into practice for my kids…add it to the list of things I love from Sharon!