Dear boys,
Here are my promises to you:
I promise we will eat dinner together at a table with the TV off, as often as possible. If you don't like what I cook, after three bites you may make yourself a sandwich.
During our dinner, we will talk about our days. “Fine” and “Nothing” will not be acceptable answers to my questions.
I know as you get older and we get busier, family dinners will become few and far between. But I promise to always try to get us all eating together as often as possible.
I promise you that we will have family nights. Sometimes these nights might include friends. But the main ingredient is going to be the three of us, together.
We will take turns deciding what to do, but it will be something that the three of us can participate in. These nights are a reminder that we are a team and no matter what we are there for each other. And most importantly, that you two are there for each other. Now, and when you are grown.
I promise you that I will raise you to be gentlemen.
“Please” and “Thank you” will be used in regular conversation. Patience is a virtue. I don’t care if that guy over there is yelling and screaming and cussing to get his way. That is not how it works in this family.
Good things come to good people, and you will be good.
I promise I will teach you the value of relationships. Treat women kindly. Forever is a long time to live alone, and even longer to live with a woman who hates you.
Choose your spouse wisely. She will ultimately be the deciding factor on how much time I spend with my grandchildren and I will be spending time with them.
If you have a baby before marriage, you will take care of that child. You will not have a "baby mama” you will have a “mother to your child.”
The best thing a father can do for his children is to respect their mother, whether they are together or not.
If you have a son, you set the tone on how he treats women for the rest of his life. If you have a daughter, you set the tone of how she will let other men treat her, for the rest of her life. Set a good tone.
I promise you that you will do sports. You will learn how to win, you will learn how to deal with losing, and you will learn how to work as a team. I promise that whatever sports you decide to do, I will learn that sport too.
I will learn the rules and I will practice with you, and I will do whatever I can to support you and help you be the best you can.
I promise you that I will lead by example. I can’t tell you to reach for the sun if I’m not reaching for it myself. You will know happiness because I will be happy.
You will know what success is, because I am successful. You might watch me fail, but you will never see me give up. You will know what true love looks like, because I won’t settle for anything but.
You will know what kind words are, because you will hear me speak them. You will know what forgiveness is because you will see me forgive. You will know about second chances, because I will give them. You will know how to stand up for yourself, because I will stand up for all of us. At this point in your life, I am the biggest influence, and I will be a great one.
I promise we will talk every day for the rest of my life. You will not go a day without hearing “I love you.” You will not go a moment doubting how proud I am of you. You are amazing boys that will grow up to be amazing men. Doubting your self-worth is not on the agenda.
I promise to forgive you. We are going to fight. You are going to hate me. You are going to be embarrassed by me. You are going to say things that are downright hurtful. And I will always forgive you. But I’m going to make mistakes too, so you have to be forgive me as well.
I love you boys so much. I am proud to be your mom and I will do everything I can to make you proud of me.