My baby girl turned 13 yesterday.
Stevie, my prayer for you is that you would cultivate a strong, quiet confidence in who God says you are, not who the world tells you to be.
That you would walk with wisdom, not just intelligence, but an understanding of your heart, of others, and of how to love well.
That you would lean into your calling, wherever that leads you, trusting that your gifts are meant for the world.
You are dazzling. You are beloved. You are enough. And I, your dad, will never stop telling you so. I will always believe in you, and always always always walk with you.
You are my heart,
Love, Dad
Birthdays are significant for so many reasons, so when I get the chance to celebrate people on their special day, it makes my heart genuinely happy. I’m not that great at celebrating my own though. Something I want to change.
My family showed up for me in such a loving, thoughtful and epic way. Slater devised a plan and surprised me with a day at Disneyland. The 5 of us played, laughed, and just enjoyed each other for the entire day. Nothing else mattered but each other. We were all present and exactly what we all needed in this season of so much change. A new house to call home, a new business/job, Slater going into high school and so much more.
The kids got along (thank you Jesus), I stole as many kisses as possible, thanked God for the sun and breeze… I heard God say to me more than once (celebrate the life I’ve given you)
Thank you all who texted, messaged, and called. I felt SO LOVED. And thank you @fathom33 for checking in
On the pups for us!
Here’s to 42. A year of blessing and command of restoration.
Seventeen years in, and I’m still learning what marriage really is.
Not through books.
But through fire. Through prayer. Through friends brave enough to share their journey.
“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
But the Hebrew tells a deeper story, the word ‘helper’ actually means
A strength facing him.
A counterpart.
A mirror.
Not a sidekick. Not a quiet supporter.
But a refining presence, standing across from you and beside you, calling you forward.
Shannon, you are that strength.
You’ve faced me in truth.
You’ve walked with me in persistent love.
You’ve challenged me, championed me, and reflected back to me both my brokenness and my beauty.
You haven’t tried to complete me.
You’ve helped call me into fullness.
Our marriage was never meant to complete us.
It was meant to refine us into people who more clearly reflect the heart of God.
And love… real love… is found in being known and still being desired, to be chosen.
So today, on our 17th anniversary, I don’t just celebrate our love.
I celebrate you.
Your presence.
Your resilience.
Your strength.
Your sacred fire.
I love you.
Today, my love turns another year. I have had the privilege of celebrating 18 birthdays with you now. With every high and low we have experienced together, it has only deepened our commitment to each other. You are my greatest gift and my greatest treasure. I love you.
It’s not just releasing others, it’s releasing ourselves from the weight we weren’t meant to carry. From the voices that say we’re too broken, too far gone.
But grace runs faster than hurt and regret. Love reaches deeper than failure. And when we choose to forgive fully, freely… we rise and we heal. #forgiveness #setfree
Beyond stoked on these boys’ growth and perseverance! Let’s not forget these guys are in the deep end. Toughest team sport in existence.
@cmacaquatics #14u #slatergram
I have so much to be grateful for. A loving family, new mercies, healing, true friendships… a full belly. There has been a lot of pain and change this year. A daily grind of personal development, deep reflection, and new beginnings. As I pull back the lens and take a moment to look at God’s faithfulness in my life, I’m overwhelmed. I don’t deserve these blessings, I didn’t earn them, God is simply gracious. I see God’s love all around me. I am loved and you are loved, rest in this truth. Happy Thanksgiving!
