A day late, but I was busy being romantic for my wife. I cooked her dinner Friday, big steaks that Publix cut into a heart shape, her favorite pie, and then a movie, plus gifts. Saturday, bowling with the journey group from WRC, at which she almost beat me, but in the end she let me win.

Anyway I was not with my daughters, so I’m giving them a shout out: Happy Valentines Day. Thank you for making dad proud 365 days for the last 24 years. Here’s what they have given me:

They have always had great grades in school. One was the highest rated female in her class and voted most likely to succeed. She won an academic scholarship to UGA above the Hope and graduated at UGA one of those cum lauds, don’t know which one. She has gone on mission trips most of her life. In middle school she brought her friends to Jesus I think she can name about 10 friends that prayed to receive Christ at events she invited them to. She led a ministry at UGA that ministered to underprivileged kids in a trailer park for a couple of years. She was the Bible Study leader for BCM and helped coach the leaders and make sure they had what they needed. She lives in Baltimore where she is helping a WRC church plant and teaches preschool also. She loves Jesus. And on top of all that she is beautiful. Let me tell you just one story. I have always been a very strict parent when it came to media, especially movies. I told the girls I would not lower my standards lower than the world. So they could not see a pg13 movie before they were 13. So in 7th grade she goes to a spend the night party and mom puts on a movie. Guess what it is pg13. She didn’t make a big deal, she just went upstairs to the girls bedroom and played until the movie was over. Another girl in the same boat went up with her. The next week the other girl’s mom called my wife and thanked her that Brooke had made the stand she did and allowed her daughter to obey her parents. That is leadership. She is Brooke.

The other one got married recently to a guy she dated pretty much since she was a freshman in high school although we didn’t let her date for almost 2 years after she met her guy. She also was the highest rated female that took any AP or Honors courses at her high school. She won the honor of being the first student to receive the All-Around best student award as voted by the teachers. She also graduated from UGA. She went to Jamaica several years. she rode a bike to Jacksonville 3 years to raise money for summer missions. She has sung in praise bands in both H.S. and College. She went to New Orleans and cleaned houses during spring break 2 years even though she has many allergies to dust. She and her husband honored their parents  and God by doing things the right way – getting an education, waiting untiil they were old enough to be sure this was the person they wanted to marry, didn’t get pregnant and have a baby too soon, honored God with their relationship. She loves Ray, she loves Jesus. Oh and she is also beautiful. She was also a leader and involved with student gov’t all four years. Her name is Anna.

My super valentine to both of you. You make Daddy, so proud. You are my next best valentines to your mother. Thanks for being the women of God that you are. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! I wish I was there to give you a hug.