Grandpa’s Wisdom

My daughters Mackenzie and Talee, both in their early twenties, were home this past weekend. We had wonderful family time — plenty of cooking, eating, shopping, and laughing.

Sunday night my parents came over for dinner. It was a perfect night to sit outside, so I set the patio table and lit citronella candles. We enjoyed a relaxed meal at sunset. It was nice for my parents to hear what’s going on in my girls’ lives, straight from them.

We got on the subject of dating. My husband asked our daughters what they were looking for in a man. Mackenzie said she wants a guy who’s fun, outgoing, a little edgy, and can appreciate that she enjoys working and wants to advance in her career. Talee wants someone who makes her laugh, likes to be active and is athletic, and a guy who will support her decision to be a stay at home mom. Both want husbands who love to be with family, because they’re so close to us. (I’m super happy and proud about this one!)

Our conversation got deeper and more complex. I noticed my parents nodding and smiling, while listening to their granddaughters’ wishlists. It ranged from appearance, to morals, to the location of their homes. My husband and I asked a lot of questions, trying to figure out which traits are important for their future grooms to possess.

After twenty minutes, I was exhausted thinking about all the things they want to find in a man, and what my husband and I think they should look for. It sounded so complicated.

Music was playing from the outdoor speakers. This is no joke — in the middle of our discussion, the song that came on was Meghan Trainor’s hit, “Dear Future Husband.” The girls and I looked at each other and laughed so hard.

Dessert was gobbled up and it was time for my parents to leave. We said our goodbyes in the kitchen. My husband and I started to walk toward the front door. We had taken just a few steps when we heard my dad talk to Mackenzie and Talee. We stopped around the corner, and he didn’t know we were there.

“Girls, don’t listen to your mom and dad. Just find someone you love.”

They giggled. My husband and I looked at each other and smiled.

I whispered, “He’s right, you know.”

My dad will be 88 in a few weeks. He likes things simple and old-fashioned. He and my mom have been married almost sixty years. I love hearing his golden nuggets of advice to our daughters. It helps keep them grounded, and remember what’s important.

Family. Love. Health. Laughter.

I hope and pray he gets to meet his granddaughters’ future husbands.

 

First image courtesy of here

Second image courtesy of here