Grace and Ethan,
If I had to choose a title for my speech and a theme for this past year, it would be “Expect the Unexpected.” Last May Ethan came home from his beach trip at RUF with flowers for me, the biggest balloon I’d ever seen, and an even bigger smile on his face. I knew he had met someone pretty incredible!
Grace has introduced a fun spontaneity to my level-headed and regimented son’s life. Her idea of a study break is to crawl under a porch to rescue a litter of abandoned kittens or to meet up at the horse farm at sunrise. It’s Grace who surprises us with a waffle party for 11 on Sunday morning and who raids our fridge to cook a late night snack with Ethan.
I’ll never forget Stephen’s comment when we followed Ethan to Grace’s family’s house for Thanksgiving dinner. Stephen just shook his head in disbelief and said, “Never did I imagine I’d see our son Ethan in a 1984 pick up truck with cowboy boots and a cat riding on his shoulders.” We have certainly learned to expect the unexpected!
My favorite spontaneous plan with Grace happened one Friday afternoon when I got a flurry of texts and messages. Grace’s mom was in South Africa, and Grace needed to RUSH to a bridal shop to try on the last dress of its type before the store closed. Of course I dropped everything and joined her on the adventure which I’ll treasure as one of the sweetest memories I could make with my future daughter in law. I was lucky enough to get the very first look at Ethan’s exquisite bride!
If I were to choose one verse to encourage the two of you as you start your life together, it would be Ephesians 3:20-21.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
Grace and Ethan, as you start your life together, keep your eyes and hearts fixed on the God who often does the unexpected and who loves to bless his children beyond their wildest imaginations.
Ethan, you are my first son and one of my best friends. I had you all to myself for 17 years as your mom and teacher. We’ve read about a million books together, ran a marathon, and bought geckos and a baby ball python. I’ve always said I wouldn’t hand you over to just any woman, and when you fell in love I’d probably be a force to be reckoned with. Your brothers TRIED to encourage me by saying that, out of 7 future daughters in law, there would probably be ONE I’d get along with. Grace, I never expected that I’d be so crazy about the girl who stole my son’s heart. I love you as my new daughter, and I’m so excited for the adventure God has planned for the two of you.
