"Love Her Mother"

Yesterday we enjoyed listening to General Conference...the leaders of our church speak to us on various topics. Faith-building stories were told, uplifting messages were shared, and testimonies of our Savior Jesus Christ strengthened my own. And today we get to enjoy a few more :)

Before we ate breakfast and started watching Conference, I savored some sweet moments as my husband tenderly interacted with our children. He invited Brooks to hop on the bed with him and Ava, then encouraged him to "be soft" and "give her kisses." It got me thinking of an incredible message shared at this past October's Conference by Elaine S. Dalton. She shared a beautiful answer to a rather tough question (read full talk here).

"How can a father raise a happy, well-adjusted daughter in today’s increasingly toxic world? The answer has been taught by the Lord’s prophets. It is a simple answer, and it is true—'The most important thing a father can do for his [daughter] is to love [her] mother,' [said President David O. McKay]. By the way you love her mother, you will teach your daughter about tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion, and devotion. She will learn from your example what to expect from young men and what qualities to seek in a future spouse. You can show your daughter by the way you love and honor your wife that she should never settle for less. Your example will teach your daughter to value womanhood. You are showing her that she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father, who loves her."

I can't find the words to describe the gratitude I have in my heart for my Heavenly Father leading me to Adam. I fell in love with him for numerous reasons...two of the most important were that he truly loved me for me, and that I knew he was going to be an incredible father. Sister Dalton was so right when she said that fathers teach by example. The way he loves me is teaching Ava to some day look for a man who will love her unconditionally, yet inspire her to be better. And the way Adam treats me also shows Brooks that he should respect women and always look at them knowing they are daughters of God. If Brooks grows up to like Adam, his future wife is going to be one lucky woman :) And I pray Ava will find someone, some day, like her Daddy.

How blessed I am to be loved by my Adam.

And how blessed are our children to have him as their father.

Happy Sunday!