Written on July 17, 2012
Today I am on the road to Texas. Four years ago Stephen left for Texas and I told him "If I know you son, you are going to marry a girl from Texas." Well it looks like his mom was right. The reason I am on the road is to go to my son's wedding. So many things are going through my head right now. I hope I taught him what he needs to know. I hope he knows that I love him. Even though I didn't stay married to his birth dad, I hope he knows I believe in marriage. (I have been married to his step-dad for fifteen years this year).
When I think of who Stephen is as a man it reminds me of all the people who had a part in his life. I guess I am writing this note to thank them. Two women had a big part in Stephen's life when he was little and I count them as two of my best friends. Thank you Tammy and Kass for putting up with my goofy, crazy kid. Thanks for loving him and helping him through the rough time of my separation and divorce. Thanks for still being an encouragement in his life even now. I am so thankful that you will be at the wedding Tammy and I wish you could be there Kass. I know you will be in spirit.
Thinking back to Stephen's Concord church days there were several guys who mentored him and showed him you can be cool, have fun and love Christ. Tim Hall, Jeremy Proemsey, Scott Wheeler, Tim Weber all of you guys helped Stephen grow as a young man. Thanks to your leadership and direction Stephen chose a life of faith and skipped the partying and promiscuity. I appreciate all of the retreats and times that you held him accountable and taught him truth.
The two years that Stephen was at South Side Christian school there were teachers that poured into him and helped him to develop academically as well as spiritually. Through various retreats and activities, programs and classroom learning Stephen started to grow into the young man God was calling him to be.Thank you to Patrick Tuller, Joni Leiniger, Teresa Starks, Karen Hunt, Arlie Singleton, Larry Amen and can't forget Mary Yousef for leading our motley crew. lol
Then after a really rough time of loosing his great grandma and his grandma Stephen, Gretchen and I made a choice to go to Illinois and become part of Collinsville Christian Academy. This was a place that grew Stephen as an athlete, scholar and a young man of God. There Stephen found great teachers and coaches, people who cared about his physical as well as spiritual well being. Thank you to Stephen Perkins, Rich Kotras ,Nathaniel Kotras, Donna Kotras, Cindy Collier, Trudy Hotson,Wendy Klein, Donald Douglas, and Debbie Legters. You were all a huge part of his junior high and high school life. So many memories of soccer games and concerts and everything in between.
Gretchen, what can I say. This is your big brother's wedding you are going to be in on Friday. I am sure you have a lot you want to tell him as well. I know you love your brother fiercly and that you are pleased with his choice. I know you want whats best for him and that you will always be there for him even if he is driving you crazy. Thanks for being a great sister.
My little boy is getting married. I still can't believe it. I am so thankful for the woman he has chosen to make his wife. I remember when I first saw her picture on facebook that something in me knew that she would marry my son. There story is not one out of a storybook and it is filled with hard times as well as good times. I remember telling my seventh grade class that this was the girl my son would marry as they looked at pictures with me. Thank you Meagan for loving my son, for helping him come out of a very dark place and for believing in him. Thank you for always pushing him to be a better man. I appreciate you faith and your love. Welcome to our family darling daughter.
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