How much can one Dad take?

[AustinBoston]

So in the past year, I have married off one daughter, sent her halfway across the country with a Marine husband, and been made a grandpa-to-be.  Then My DW of 24 years graduated with her BA to work in Youth Ministries (Grandmother?  Doing youth ministries?  Yes, but she's already hired.)  DS and DD#2 are going on separate missions trips to Mexico this summer...now, tonight, DD#2's boyfriend calls me during supper to ask for her hand in marriage.

What's next?

Austin (I need to go camping...NOW)

[dthurk]

You've had some really nice things happen with those who are close to you.  Congratulations, AB.  

You don't want to know about my year.

[Kelly]

The invite to Itasca is still open, AB.  We're leaving Wednesday  

I tell my kids that if I'm doing my job right one day they will all move on ... guess it's really true, eh?   :p

... and I agree with Dave ~ you've got some really nice things happening.

Just out of curiousity ~ what did you say to DD2's boyfriend?  

[AustinBoston]

The invite to Itasca is still open, AB.  We're leaving Wednesday  

I tell my kids that if I'm doing my job right one day they will all move on ... guess it's really true, eh?   :p

... and I agree with Dave ~ you've got some really nice things happening.

Just out of curiousity ~ what did you say to DD2's boyfriend?  

Well, I suspected for a while that "this was the one."  He's a nice guy, a technically skilled person, and a self-starter.  I have seen in him strength tempered with gentileness, and a helpfulness that exceeds all expectations.

He *told* her to schedule to take the day off, that it was their one-year anniversary from their first date.  They spent the day together, and after dinner they went to a river gourge with a series of waterfalls.

At the falls named Bridalveil falls, he went down on one knee, and presented her with a ring.  Not just any ring.  This is an heirloom ring.  It belonged to his great-grandmother.

Sarah and her Mother signed a "true love waits" covenant when she was 16, pledging her chastity until marriage.  Part of that was a silver ring.  Sarah chose a three-ring set, one with the word "True," one with the word "Love," and one with the word "Waits".  He removed two of the rings, and replaced the "Love" with the gold diamond, so that it still says "true love waits" but with a diamond ring for love instead of a silver one.

The ring fit perfectly.

I didn't have to ask what her answer was.  She was already saying things like "I can't even imagine life without Andrew," and I know he has said "wherever you want to go to grad school, I will move just to be near you."

A little over a year ago, I said to her "Don't marry the guy you can live with.  Marry the guy you can't live without."  It makes me proud when my kids take my advice.

Austin

[SpeakEasy]

I can't help thinking that there is at least SOME connection between the good things that you are experiencing and the fact that you have been a camping family.

When I see a young family in a campground I am always tempted to go over and talk to the parents and tell them how they are doing such a great thing by camping together as a family. I want them to know, from the perspective of a 52-year-old whose "been there, done that" that it really does pay off. I haven't actually spoken to anyone like this, because I feel like I would be intruding. But maybe some day I'll actually do that. Who knows, maybe one of you will be the one I actually speak to.

[Kelly]

That reminds me of a story (mine aren't as long as AB's   )

My parents winter near Corpus Christi, TX every year.  They have a Class C with a toad.  They move around so they don't have the same neighbors every year.  This season they had a mom and her kids across the way from them.  My mom said they were really well-behaved kids and mom did an awesome job with them.

At some point while they were there (while my dad sat 'home' and rolled his eyes) my mom wandered over and told the woman the same things you are talking about, Speak.  She said the woman really appreciated it and that it was something she would have loved to have heard while she was raising her brood.

I say Go For It.  You'll make someone's day for sure.    

[Dee4j]

So in the past year, I have married off one daughter, sent her halfway across the country with a Marine husband, and been made a grandpa-to-be.  Then My DW of 24 years graduated with her BA to work in Youth Ministries (Grandmother?  Doing youth ministries?  Yes, but she's already hired.)  DS and DD#2 are going on separate missions trips to Mexico this summer...now, tonight, DD#2's boyfriend calls me during supper to ask for her hand in marriage.

What's next?

Austin (I need to go camping...NOW)

sounds like you are blessed..Congrats... be thankful  they are all happy and healthy and won't be spending your summer in Hospitals

[AustinBoston]

I can't help thinking that there is at least SOME connection between the good things that you are experiencing and the fact that you have been a camping family.

When I see a young family in a campground I am always tempted to go over and talk to the parents and tell them how they are doing such a great thing by camping together as a family. I want them to know, from the perspective of a 52-year-old whose "been there, done that" that it really does pay off. I haven't actually spoken to anyone like this, because I feel like I would be intruding. But maybe some day I'll actually do that. Who knows, maybe one of you will be the one I actually speak to.

It's not camping per se.  It's time, and lots of it.  It just so happens that the best way I know to do that is to go camping.  No way to escape the time spent together when you're together 24/7 for 6-10 days, (plus some weekends thrown in).

Parents who will take the time to plan, save, and execute a camping trip are probably taking the time to take an interest in other aspects of their children's lives.

But I do believe it - the family that camps together stays together.

Austin

[sandykayak]

I was a broke single mom for many years.  My kids didn't know what the inside of a hotel looked like!  But they are expert campers.

First thing my daughter (now 38) did when she graduated from high school was to pack the gear and take a gal friend camping in Key Largo.

Son (33) is currently visiting the Grand Canyon with his dad (but they're staying in a hotel!)

[tlhdoc]

AB congratulations all the way around.  It sounds like a wonderful thing for you and your family to be going through.  Enjoy it.  Is there a wedding date set?

[chip]

Awsome, AB...

Sounds to me like you have done everything right.  

Congratulations!

[beacher]

Congradulations Austin!

My oldest, and only, DD starts Kindergarten next Fall.  And my DS will start 1st grade!  I have a way to go before I get to walk in your shoes!