To the Husband Wannabees

To the future suitors (read... potential husbands) of my daughter,

I've told my daughter since she was five years old, that the decision of who she marries is the second most important decision of her life, and that we would be assisting her with it. I think she's good with that.

On that note, I feel it only fair that I give you a heads up about what we are expecting from you.

You're very welcome.

 Here are the no brainers. First of all, you need to love Jesus with all of your heart and it needs to be apparent to everyone that you do. Are you talking about what He's doing in your life? Do you study your Bible? Do you attend church? Are you involved in any form of ministry? These are the questions we will be asking.

Secondly, if you have dated longer than six months, you need to treat her like she is the second most important relationship in your life. Now, that doesn't mean you leave all of your friends in the dust, because you need them too. As a matter of fact, if you don't have any friends except her, forget it. She's not the one for you. She's going to need to foster her other friendships too.

You need to be able to make her laugh. And you need to love her sense of humor.

Blue eyes is a plus, because I'd love some blue eyed grandchildren. But if you don't have blue eyes, no real problem, I have two other children. Maybe they'll find a blue eyed spouse.

You need to be a good communicator. You need to share your dreams.

You need to have a passion and a dream that will coincide with hers.

You need to be secure in who you are so you can help her to shine.

Being financially secure is a plus.

You might want to learn to cook.

You need to have a great relationship with your mother. I've told her to watch carefully how you treat your mom. That will say more about you than a fully loaded resume'.

You need to be willing to spend time with her family. You don't need to adore us, but it would be good to at least like us a little bit.

You need to love kids, reading, and Disney movies. (Okay, you don't need to love Disney movies, but tolerating them would probably be a plus.)

You better be at least a little bit romantic.

Keep your promises. Always.

Wooing her is great- but if wooing turns to manipulating, I will find you and manipulate your face.

Some sort of manners is expected, correct grammar would be awesome: No swearing, yelling, or putting someone down...

Not too much to expect if you are trying to win a princess, eh?

Here's what we'll do:

We'll meet your family. Love on them. Make them feel at home.
We will come visit your church and yes, you better go regularly- If the pastor doesn't recognize your name, it won't be recognized in this house either.
If you are "the one", we will love on you like you were our own son. You'll be teased, honored, invited on vacations, smacked with snowballs, and asked advice, all of what helps make us a family. You'll even get an ornament with your name on it to put on our Christmas tree!

And the most important thing: We'll give you our precious, amazing, filled to the brim with potential, wonderful daughter to be your one and only forever and forever.

It will be great to meet you... some 8 years from now would be good.  Until then, grow in Jesus, practice the 12 fruits of the spirit, treat your parents well, get a good education, go on a missions trip or two.  And know that we'll be praying for you.

Love,

Your future mother-in-law
(We'll figure out what you can call me later.) :)


:)