Car parts and Golden hearts

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am completely surrounded by softies. That's right, softies. And I couldn't feel more blessed by that little nugget. The three most golden hearts in the world, all coincidentally belong to the three most prominent men in my life. Let's take a wild stab at Golden Heart #1, shall we? Not hard, Dorian. Please. The Golden Heart #2 award goes to (drum roll, please), my Daddy. And last but certainly not least, Golden Heart #3 goes to my wonderful father-in-law, Mr. Dan DeHaven (aka – dad).

You all may remember my car problems, from last week. Since then, we have been scouring options ranging from, taking it up the tail pipe (tacky pun, intended) and paying Todd Wenzel to just fix it already, to trading my car in for a different car altogether, to only having one car for a while, to braving a drive out to NY for Dan to fix it, to checking with about eleventy billion mechanics in this area who could possibly do it for less. These three men have been tireless (heh, as in…searching without rest) in finding a solution. Frankly, I've had no choice but to just sit and watch this fiasco play itself out because they are each so on top of the situation. And it's things like this that put me in daily awe at the incredible men that God has put into my life.

When it comes to masculine influences on a woman's life, I know that I am one of the fortunate ones. Because of my father's influence and teaching in my life, I am a woman who understands my worth, and that it is found directly in the heart of God.

Terry McCracken, my father, is the strongest man of God that I know. He lives the kind of life that offers redemption to the name of Christianity. He is selfless and honest, wise and compassionate, faithful and trustworthy. He would go to the end of the world and back if it meant bringing a smile to your face or relieving some tension from your life. The wedding provided perfect example after perfect example of how selfless he is. I will never forget our conversation about my veil. I was debating on whether or not to have one because it seemed like one of those unnecessary expenses. So, I was verbally processing the pros and cons to him, and he looked at me and said, "Kristen, do you want a veil?" and I stuttered something along the lines of "Well, I think they are gorgeous and bridal, but but but it's sooo much money and I just don't…" He stopped me and said, "Kristen…Do you want a veil?" and I looked at him miserably and croaked "yes…" He said, "Ok, then." And that was the end of that. I had a veil. (I realize that this story insinuates that I get whatever I want when it comes to my daddy…and while that may be very true…there are puhlenty of times where he has told me no…I know my mom and Julie just choked on their water at the idea that my dad says no to me…because it's true that I hear "yes" more than "no" from him…but he'll say "no" when it's the necessary response). (And I just read back over this paragraph and realized how spoiled it makes me sound, and that wasn't my intention. Moral of the story: My father is as selfless as selfless can be).

Now, Dorian Eugene, my new and sparkly husband. His shine has not worn off and I don't think it's going to…because if you know me at all, I tend toward realism and cynicism…so before I even gave that boy a chance, I analyzed anything and everything negative that was within my realm of imagination…and he withstood that. Pretty sure he's going to maintain his Sparkly Diamond status, forever (except for the times I think he's a stinky turd for farting in my face). There is, and always has been, something about Dorian that has instilled a calm trust in my heart. Which is very important because my realism and cynicism can be added together to equate to a real hesitance in the Trust Department. But even with that, I have never doubted him…I have tried to, but I could never convince myself that there was anything about him that I couldn't trust. Dorian is a man of God whose perseverance is turning him into a giant in his faith. I have never met anyone with the amount of determination that he has. When he sets his mind on something, it is only a matter of time before the thought becomes reality. He has immeasurable patience. Dorian also has the softest heart of anyone I know. And all you little boys that think it's sexy to be tough and an all around thick head? You have fun scoring your Man Points with each other, because men like Dorian are the strongest men on earth. It takes a real man to be as humble, gentle, patient and selfless as this man is.

And the man that Dorian has become is a complete testament to how wonderful Dan is. I think that Dorian's character qualities are a mirrored image of his father's. When I think of Dan, my heart is filled with joy and gratitude for providing such an unwavering example of how to live a life that honors God, to have a humble spirit, to press on when things get difficult, to accept responsibility if things have gotten off track, to prioritize the things in life that are truly important, to treat your wife like the treasure God intended her to be, to put your desires last, and on and on! My husband treats me like I am precious to him because his father consistently showed him how a wife should be treated. And while I know that Dorian's personality would have led him in the direction of treating a woman right, it is his father's clear influence that makes being Dorian's wife the easiest thing in the world. Dorian brings out the best in me (even when the best isn't all that much…).

So today, I am thankful for a father who raised me to see how a man of God lives his life. I'm thankful for a father who daily showed me how women deserve to be treated…and a father who taught me that that treatment was worth waiting for. And I am thankful for a father-in-law who raised his son to love his family and to treat his wife like she makes his life richer…just for being part of it.