Love like your daddy

Lucy and Colt,

I'm excited to write this first letter to you both. I'm been planning it for quite some time. Today is a very special day in our family. Today is the day that your daddy and I first celebrated our marriage.

When we made our vows to each other, we were really making those to you as well. As we started our life as a family, it was very important that we remember our promise to love each other all the time so we could teach you how to also love endlessly.

I'm not the best example of unconditional love. By the time you read this, you'll be old enough to realize that I have a temper. I fly off the handle sometimes. It's worse when I'm tired or feel insecure. I worry. I get scared. I open my mouth without thinking first. There are times when my words hurt feelings. I'm not proud of this, but I want to be very honest here. I'm not perfect, but I am trying to be better... for all of us.

Your daddy constantly teaches me how to love better, bigger, stronger. Your daddy has such great big love for the two of you and for Poppy. He works hard to provide a safe place for you. He tries beyond his best to make your time together fun and important. Your daddy makes us a family.

My prayer for you, especially as you may someday want a family of our own, is that you'll learn to love like your daddy. Daddy remembers to say "I love you" every night before bed, at the end of every phone call, and a lot of times in between. Daddy likes to give hugs and kisses all the time. He never gets tired of holding us. Daddy likes to snuggle for naps and at bedtime. Daddy likes to play outside in the yard, at the pool, in the mud, with animals. He is a lot of fun. Daddy likes to try new things with us. He cooks, visits, reads and creates things that interest us. Daddy loves God above all else and treats all people with great acceptance and kindness. This is how you know and show true love. When someone loves God so much, they realize the way to show God that love is to pass it on to others. Daddy passes on his love to us all the time and this is how I hope you will learn to love.

I promise to keep growing and trying my very best every day so that I can be a good model of love also. Please remember that no matter what, when, where or how, Daddy and I love you both beyond measure. And we love each other and this family that we're growing. We are committed to giving you the life of love that you deserve, and part of that is loving each other so you learn how to treat your future family, one another, and anyone you meet.

I love you to the moon and back,
I love you for forever.
And if you ask if that could change,
My answer will always be "never"!

Happy 4th anniversary to my sweet husband and the wonderful father of my precious babies. I love you for always.

And sweet babies, I hope our love totally grosses you out. That will tell me that we're doing something right.

Love you so big,
Momma