Dear Drew,
What kind of man will we raise? It’s a question often thought about upon finding out we would be expecting a boy. We will raise a kind hearted man. A strong man. A man that believes in himself. A man that will make a the very best husband and father. I often thought, what kind of mother will I be to a sweet boy because I had no experience in that department and the world can be a cruel place. We want to make sure you grow to be sweet, thoughtful and giving. I used to think that a girl was just born with the “sweet” and “giving” genes. What is the saying. “A son is a son until he takes a wife, a daughter is a daughter for the rest of your life.” I’m not sure how much I believe in that saying. I know I will always have separate relationships with you and your sister but I’d like to think it’s because you are two different personalities not because you’re two different sexes. As you grow your way towards three (yikes) I’m slowly starting to realize that the rules are the same for you and your sister but your personalities are just different. I can’t believe I used to think I was going to have to teach you to be sweet and kind. You are the sweetest little boy I have ever seen. Yes it’s up to us to guide you and teach you right from wrong but your personality has shown so much this past year. You are super affectionate, sensitive, and you never want to hurt anyone or anything. All signs that I truly believe you will be exactly the man you are meant to be.
What kind of man will we raise? We will raise a kind hearted man.
I want you to open the door for a woman. When you see an older woman struggling with groceries in the parking lot, I want you to offer to help her. I want you to tell your wife someday just how beautiful she is when she’s months away from having your child. All things a kind hearted man would do. We will teach you.
What kind of man will we raise? We will raise a strong man.
That there will days where you will feel beaten and defeated. Days where you’ll often wonder why life can be so tough. You will experience joy and loss. However, how you deal with them is what matters. We will show you that it’s okay to be weak at times, because in the end that weakness will make you a strong man.
What kind of man will we raise? We will raise a man that believes in himself.
We want you to succeed in all that you do, so in order to do that you must always believe in yourself. Believe that you can do anything you set your mind to. Believe that if you truly work hard enough you can and you will get to be where you want to be. We will guide you.
What kind of man will I raise? I will raise a man that will be the very best husband.
Always remember that it’s the small things that will make you the very best husband. Always make time for her, compliment her, surprise her and support her no matter what. We will help you.
What kind of man will I raise? I will raise a man that will be the very best father.
This one will come. Years will come and go and life will teach you that once you become a father you will see just how easy it comes. It’s being present, involved and active that will make you the very best father. We will believe in you.
