Your Great-Grandpa's

Your arrival means a lot to everyone, and for different reasons. I am thinking of two people specifically this morning: your great-grandfathers - Grandpa Toby and Grandpa Bob.

You coming into our family when you are catapults these two individuals into a very special category of people - Great-grandparents.

I hope that as time unfolds, you will have a lot of time and opportunities to get to experience them. They are both great men in their own ways.

Grandpa Bob has taught me throughout my life what it means to be responsible and hard working. He did this mostly by just being there. I saw in his example what it means to take care of my family. He has helped me to grow into the man that I am.

Grandpa Toby is even now helping your mom grow in many ways. You will have to ask her about that sometime.

We are praying for him

Who is "him," you may ask? He is the guy that you will someday marry. Your Grandma Sherri and I have been praying for him....and he may not even be born yet. We are praying that he will have parents as great as yours, and a faith in Jesus that guides his entire life.

We will continue to pray for him until the day you get married ... and then we will pray some more. We want you to know that we are looking ahead and preparing space for God to do crazy and great things in your life.

I will ask you to do one thing when it comes to choosing a husband: never settle. In fact, please do the opposite - dream strong and play the long shot. You will have to ask your mom what it means to play the long shot.

I love you.

First things first

I love you. I know that I have not yet met you in person, but, I still love you. And I want that to be the first thing that you read.

I love you because you are a part of me... or rather I am a part of you.

I love you because you bring such joy to my little girl, your Mom.

I love you because you are so valuable, just because you are you.

I love you because you have allowed me to watch your dad love your mom in ways that he couldn't before you were coming along.

I love you because you are my one-and-only FIRST grand-kid I will ever have.

Mostly, I wanted you to know that you are special and that without even being here yet, you are a delight and have brought great joy to this world.

I love you.