October 7, 2012
Dear Elliot,
I have enjoyed writing these
letters to you every month.
They've been a wonderful opportunity for me to reflect on my new life as
your mom. I can guarantee
with 100% certainty that I will teach you much more than what these letters
reveal. I can also guarantee
that experience will be your best teacher.
In these letters you have
read/learned about faith, God, learning, laughter, the importance of following
your heart and never giving up, the importance of constant growth, music,
Godparents, friends, relationships, having an escape, happiness and
forgiveness. This will be my last
and strongest lesson for you.
This lesson will be on LOVE. Your letter for next month will be all
about what YOU have taught ME.
You're going to experience many forms
of love. You can read all about
love in the Bible. I want
you to hold 1 Corinthians 13:4–8 in your heart. This is the
verse that was read at our wedding on May 14, 2005.
Love is patient, love
is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude,
it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails ..
In addition to this verse,
we chose some rather detailed and powerful vows: "I,
Leigh Anne, take you, Mark, to be my husband, my constant friend, my faithful
companion and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I
offer you my solemn vow to remain faithfully by your side in sickness and in
health, in moments of weakness and moments of strength, in good times and in
bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to always believe in you, to dream with you,
to listen to you and at the same time, hear you. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you
in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you,
and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
Love is a powerful emotion. Your heart is a fragile part of you. Love is not something that
should just be given away.
It is special. It is
sacred. You will
experience many forms of love!
During our wedding sermon, Pastor Lee taught us that when it comes to
marriage there should be one main rule:
"Love God. Love
One Another. Nothing Else
Matters." I can't
even begin to describe how accurate he was when he said this. Love God. God loves you and will
always love you. There is
nothing you can do that will stop God's love for you.
My hope for you is that you have a love like the love your dad
and I have.
Your dad is my best friend. He can always make me laugh.
He listens to me.
He respects me. He
treasures me.
He makes me feel special. He's always there for me. He loves me when I don't love me.
He helps me grow.
He encourages me and he supports me.
Believe in love.
Enjoy the love you feel.
Enjoy your emotions and your experiences.
Reflect on the feelings in your heart. Love God.
Please know how much you are loved. You are my love and my joy.
You are my greatest blessing. I am proud to be your mom.
I love you!
Mommy
