My baby girl

As the day of my oldest child's high school graduation nears, I think about how much she has grown up. How she's not a little girl anymore.

Yes, I still cook her meals and wash her clothes, but she could easily do those things on her own.


My aunt tells me often that though I'm sad that my girl is growing up and moving on to college, it's a good thing that she can take care of herself. I've raised a child who really can become a productive member of society (thanks for pointing that out, Jenie), and I should be proud of that.


Lately I have been.


Until I got this picture on my cell phone last night.




Now, the whole story behind the picture doesn't freak me out, (She was only trying them on, by the way. Not the real thing. Yet.) because we know that this is going to happen-- probably sooner than later.


Yes, she's only 18 and though I would never encourage her to get married this young, I know how much I've prayed for this young man and I would love it if she married him.


I've prayed for her husband since she was a little girl (just as my mom did for mine), and God pulled an Ephesians 3:20 on this situation. He is a hard worker. He has goals. He's funny. He's respectful. He loves the Lord. His loves family--his and mine. He is kind to my sons, and he takes care of my son with Autism. He is smart. He is handsome. He has an amazing family that has melded right into ours.


He genuinely loves my daughter with everything in him.


So why oh why would I listen to the people who tell me she's too young to even think about marriage and encourage her to wait and find someone later in life when this young man is everything (and more) that I have prayed for?


Yesterday was this young couple's one year anniversary, and his parents took them out to a very fancy dinner to celebrate. Then they went to look at rings.


This morning as I sat on the deck drinking my coffee, she told me about her fun night and about the different kinds of rings she tried on. The different shapes she liked and what she knew she didn't want.


But as I listened to her, I wasn't thinking about how much she's grown up and how she will be commuting to college soon and getting a job and preparing to start a life of her own.

I was thinking, "That's my baby girl, talking about engagement rings. Is this really happening?"


Looking at that picture doesn't change my heart about the situation, though. It makes me smile and thankful that my God gives me the desires of my heart.