To The One Who Will Wear The Tie

On our daughter’s 18th birthday, my husband and I gave her a tie. Yes, that’s right- a tie. Navy blue with pink and white stripes, the colors she’s chosen for her dream wedding. Even more than she dreams about the perfect wedding, we dream together about the man who will be God’s perfect match for her; the man who is beyond excited to spend the rest of his life loving her; the man who will one day be waiting for her at the front of the church wearing that tie. The gift was given as a visual reminder to her to keep praying for that man, to pray that God will raise him up and grow him and prepare him to lead and love her well.

So, to the man who will someday wear the tie, while I am so eager to know who you are, I trust that God will reveal it clearly when you’re both ready. In the meantime, there are some things you should know:

My daughter is a woman after God’s own heart. And she longs for a man who is passionate in his pursuit of God, whose heart is captured by Him and who loves Him first and most, even more than her.

My daughter is fierce. She loves deeply and dares greatly and brings with her plenty of lovable sass. Don’t let her strength intimidate you; rather let it challenge and inspire you to be a man who will lead her well.

My daughter is also tender. Cherish her and encourage her. Allow her to see the tenderness of your heart.

My daughter knows her worth and is willing to wait for God’s best for her. Honor and respect her.

My daughter doesn’t expect you to make her happy, because she knows that’s not your job. But she does want you to push her toward holiness as you love her like Christ.

My daughter knows you will never complete her, nor will she complete you. Your Creator has already done that to perfection. But she prays that He will make you stronger together, to bring much glory to His name.

My daughter is not perfect, and knows that you’re not either. Learn from one another, always seeking grace and truth.

My daughter is so excited to do life with you, loving and serving and growing together, following wherever Christ leads and allowing your marriage to be a picture of the gospel.

You should also know that my daughter is not the only one praying for you – I am praying for you as well. I thank God for you because I know that He has already chosen you to be the one who will one day wear the tie. I pray that you will be a man who loves Jesus more than anything else. I pray that you will admire her strength of faith and character and recognize the true beauty that my daughter is. I pray that you will courageously pursue her and sweep her off her feet. I pray that you love to laugh and that she will bring a smile to your face and a joy to your heart that you’ve never known before. I pray God keeps you safe. I pray God keeps you pure. I pray that you will know with absolute certainty that she is the one you’ve been praying for. I pray that when the times comes, you will lead and love her well and that your life together will bring much glory to God.

So, to the one who will wear the tie, know that you are already loved and prayed for, and trust that God’s perfect plan is even more beautiful than dream weddings and the radiant bride who will be yours forever.

Oh, and one more thing- my daughter loves a good tie clip, so don’t even think about wearing that tie without one! 🙂