Emma, dear, if you choose to marry later in life, choose a man like your father.
I always hated when people made comments like that. How disturbing to choose a mate that reminds you of your father! But I understand now. So let me say it again: If you decide to get married, choose a man like your father.
Here is what that saying means:
- Choose a man who is the first to bring up your faith life when you’re just starting to date.
- Choose a man who brings you to church – in the beginning and every sleepy Sunday after that.
- Choose a man who prays with you – both in joy and sorrow and when the day is just another day.
- Choose a man who finds you sexy when your body isn’t what it was (and probably won’t be ever again).
- Choose a man who mentors other men about fidelity, faith, and compromise in marriage.
- Choose a man you can trust.
- Choose a man who still gets up early after your firstborn arrives to make it to his men’s bible study.
- Choose a man who makes you laugh so hard you’re afraid you might literally bust a stitch.
- Choose a man who is humble enough to do housework.
- Choose a man of talent – be it music, art, writing, handiwork, cooking – something of his own that he both gets lost in and proudly shows off to you.
- Choose a man who gladly takes care of you after surgery (Recovery can be humiliating with the wrong person).
- Choose a man your family loves (This one could be overlooked if we weren’t awesome – but let’s face it – we are!).
- Choose a man who challenges you to be a better version of you.
- Choose a man who understands finances.
- Choose a man with ambition.
- Choose a man who wants to provide for his family.
- Choose a man who is slow to anger.
- Choose a man who can say “Sorry.”
- Choose a man who can forgive.
- Choose a man with a good reputation among his friends and coworkers.
Choose a man like your father.
That’s beautiful, and why we adore Fred.
This just moved to tears, such sweetness stirred up my insides. Print it out and frame it to hang in her room.
Adding…”choose a man who exaggerates with class”