Prophetic Words

My father is a truly wise man. So nearly seventeen years ago, when I brought Matt home to meet him and my mother, it was no small thing to hear his endorsement, "Nancy, that is a very fine young man."

As usual, he was right.

The following summer I married that fine young man and we celebrated our 16th anniversary yesterday.

I'm afraid Dad's endorsement to Matt wasn't nearly as glowing. The evening that Matt proposed to me we hurried to my parents house to share our excitement. My loving father took one look at my ring and shook his head. "Oh Matt, she's going to frustrate you."

As usual, he was right.

Our wedding day was no exception. Just moments before the ceremony my pre-wedding jitters got the best of me and I panicked. Matt sat by my side, holding my hand, and listened to my nearly incoherent babbling.

"mattareyousurethisisrightcausei'mnotsurethisisreallyright.i'mtrustingyou.ifyousayit'srighttomarryyoui'llgothroughwithitcausei'mnotsure."

I heard him let out an exasperated sigh--the first of many that I would hear over the years--and then he calmly said, "Yes, Nancy. This is right."

As usual, he was right.