Marrying a Family

13 years ago, almost to the day, Mark married a family.

Nicole was 8, Beccah was 6, and he fit in like it was destiny.

Today we honored him with a steak dinner and Marta's chocolate cake for dessert--which is every bit as good as it sounds!

We invited Kalyn, the Paper Crafts intern who is here all the way from Pennsylvania, as well as Beccah's boyfriend, Dan, aka Barty.

Nicole & Kalyn

 

Beccah & Barty

It was a lively gathering celebrating a man who has been the best kind of step-dad.

• Mark has never tried to take the place of their dad, but has acted as the dad they have needed whenever they were in his care.
• Always the kidder, he has served as the light-hearted voice when serious talks need it the most.
• He will fix anything that needs to be fixed, from computers to bike tires to apartment doors to broken hearts.
• He will talk any stuffed animal that is on the bed, giving each its own distinctive voice and personality. Back in the day, it would take up to an hour for bedtime animal talking. From Isabelle to George the Camel to the Lurpits, Mark has brought character into our home.
• He has been a rock of stability, working hard to provide a good life for our family, helping to provide college educations for his girls, and encouraging them to work hard for what he knows they are capable of achieving in their lives.
• He will watch any movie with any one at any time.
• He teaches by example. It is not do what I say, but always do what I do.

Mark is the goodest kind of egg.

I have always been grateful to Mark for the role he has played in the lives of our girls. From the very first presentation of a geode to Nicole when she came down with the chicken pox when she was six, he has been there for them, and for me in raising them, and I can't imagine what our lives would have been like if he hadn't been willing to marry a family.

But for Mark, you see, this little family of ours is his destiny. For Mark's parents were also divorced when he was a boy. He, too, was raised by a step-dad. And he truly feels that his childhood was all part of a larger plan to help prepare him for these, the greatest roles of his life, husband to me, and step-dad to Colie Pocket and Booper Bear.

And so, on this Father's Day, I thank you, dear Mark, for all you have done and continue to do to help guide our girls. They are so much the better young women because you've been such a positive force in their lives.

 

Thank you, thank you, my love, for marrying our family.

Comments

[Rachel Greig]

Gosh, I just love the way you write. I too was raised by a step-dad (and a dad) and I appreciate how much influence a great step dad can have! The photo of them all together is sweet :)

[Kalyn]

Thanks for letting me a part of your family for an evening with great food, great company and a wonderful summer evening on the deck! It's obvious that your family is full of love and it was so nice to be around that while away from my loved ones. Thank you again for your thoughtful invite :)