Young Love...

I have prayed over the years for our children and their future spouses and while no one is engaged at this date love is definitely in the air.  Honestly, we never encouraged dating. That sounds strange to many, but hear me out. There is no reason to latch on to another person and spend lots of alone time with them just for fun.  We felt it better that our kids spend time with friends.. developing friendships.. and when they found someone they had a deeper interest in.. someone they felt God was leading them to.. then they would prayerfully move forward to see where the relationship was to go.

Our daughter wholeheartedly agreed. Not so much our son. He was interested in a few girls in his teen years and did quasi-date them. I say quasi-date because they met through church activities and their dates consisted of going to youth group events or our with family.  All these were extremely short lived relationships.

In the summer of 2009 while at Camp, he met a girl briefly. They linked up on Facebook as kids do and found they had mutual friends.  Over the next few months their friendship grew and they eventually decided they wanted more. That was 2 years ago this December.  My husband and I feel sure that she is our future daughter-in-love and we are thrilled.  They are just so made for each other. Both have a heart for ministry... they lead worship together... they do Bible study together... pray together... it is just awesome to see! They also act silly and laugh and giggle and occasionally get miffed... all those things that come with love.  Our son is in college.. so no wedding bells for a few more years.  He has to be done with school and able to support a wife ... and children!

Our daughter has recently started seeing a young man.  Because he lives in another town, we have not had as much time to get to know him. That will come.  He is a cute fella.... not that looks matter... and the more I see them together ... well, the more I see them TOGETHER.. Know what I mean? They fit each other well. They have similar wants and desires for their futures. I love that he is very supportive and encouraging to her.  My husband says "He treats her well".. that is important to a dad.  (Sidenote... poor guy can never be good enough for her... that is part of the Daddy code) They are a bit challenged by the distance but modern technology helps... skype, emails, texts etc. make us a lot closer than we really are... and both of them know the drive between where he lives and where we live very well!  They are in that early stage of a relationship where they are getting to know each other... pondering the possibility of a future together... no wedding bells there either... but I wouldn't be surprised to hear them coming their way one day.

And so now my prayers are slightly changed. I pray for these possible future spouses by name.. and while some of the things I prayed for in the past are still on the list, there are new things being added as we all get to know each other.

My kids are 4 1/2 years apart... I thought God did that to space things for me... I have a feeling that won't be true with weddings... I expect these 2 will come within a year of each other at most.  Should be a wild ride... just sitting back and waiting for lift off!

Turn Around and You're a Young Man Walking Out the Door

There is a song from the 60s called Turn Around.  Part of it goes like this...

Where are you going
My little one, little one
Where are you going
My baby, my own

Turn around and you’re two
Turn around and you’re four
Turn around and you’re a young girl
Going out of the door 

I am experiencing a bit of this today... only it is a young man who walked out the door. The younger of my 2 children... my son... had his first day in college today.  I am not nearly as emotional about it as some thought I would be. This child was born running towards an independent life.  But it is still one of those moments where you stand back ... watch... remember... and ponder what is ahead.  

I sent an email to my husband that said "The strangest thing happened today. I was in Luke's room this morning... he was playing in his crib all cuddly and sweet... I turned around to put some things away and when I turned back he was up and dressed and headed out the door to college!"

I feel as if it really were just that fast at times... but then I also have 18 years of memories that prove it wasn't quite as quick as that. I had the privilege of homeschooling my son from 1st grade through graduating this past May.  I would not trade one minute of that time with him and his sister (whom I homeschooled from 5th grade on).  It was a precious season of my life. And soon I will be able to sing more of this song and a new season will begin...

Turn around and you’re tiny

Turn around and you’re grown

Turn around and you’re a husband

With babes of your own 

"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40