Leavenworth has become a yearly destination for our family. Our adult children all the way down to our grandkids look forward to this annual get-away. Friends of theirs have often joined us, adding to the joy of reconnecting. Some of our best memories have been made on this trip!
There’s something magical about being in Leavenworth, especially when it’s snowing. An evening stroll in the quaint lit village brings the illusion of being in a snow globe. You’re transported into a time where life moves at a slower pace and stress becomes a foreigner.
Our most recent trip to Leavenworth was my favorite yet! It began the night before we left. My oldest daughter’s boyfriend, Craig, who was going with us on this trip, sent a text message to my husband asking if he could meet with him that evening.
My husband told us he needed to run to the store to get some things for Leavenworth. My daughter, Ally, and I were none the wiser – until he came home. Then I knew something that Ally wasn’t going to find out until later! She was going to get a marriage proposal in Leavenworth! Oh the excitement of keeping a secret!
We knew that Craig would eventually propose to Ally. They had been dating since their junior year of high school. But what we didn’t expect, and were delightfully surprised with, was Craig’s chivalry in asking permission to marry Ally!
Chivalry is defined as courage that is presented with honor and respect.
My husband told me it brought tears to his eyes when Craig proclaimed his love for our daughter and declared that he could not imagine his life without her. He felt so honored when Craig asked for permission to marry Ally.
It’s rare for a young man to ask permission from a father to marry his daughter. In today’s society, who asks for permission for anything? Too much has been given, too much has been expected, and entitlement is the attitude.
Many of our youth have lost a sense of honor for those who are supposed to be their adult role models. Who can we blame? Those of us who parent the next generation. We often neglect to teach that courage with honor and respect wins favor and opens the door for success in every situation!
Craig’s chivalrous request escorted us into the next day as we headed out on our annual trip. And Leavenworth didn’t disappoint! The village was covered in snow and the evening was ushered in with a beautiful, quiet snowfall.
It was that first snowy evening that Craig took Ally for a walk. They left as boyfriend and girlfriend and returned as fiancées, pledged to one another for a summer wedding. The celebration of this moment created a beautiful memory for us all!
To our future son-in-law’s parents, we are so thankful that you raised a chivalrous young man who loves and can’t imagine life without our daughter!
Showing posts with label A Mother's Musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Mother's Musings. Show all posts
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Snail Mail is Worth the Wait!
A part of my heart flew to Ft. Benning, Georgia a few months ago. Our son, Austin, enlisted in the United States Army and just finished basic training. He is now at Airborne School.
When Austin left for basic last October,we knew he would have to surrender his cell phone and that letters would be his only form of communication for four months. Knowing that he had rarely mailed a letter, I asked him if he knew how to address an envelope.
“Mom, really?” He sounded insulted. “I’ve just filled out a ton of paperwork for enlistment that required me to write our address at least ten times.” Then he rattled off our address like a seasoned kindergartener who knows the entire alphabet.
His girlfriend jokingly gave a quick explanation of where the “to” and “from” address goes on the envelope and where the stamp belongs. We all laughed about it, knowing that handwritten letters are a thing of the past. Texting and e-mail is the preferred choice of communication.
Cartoon Parade just ran a comic that portrayed a woman who opened the front door to her boyfriend. He had a bouquet of roses in his hands. The caption said, “We broke up, Stuart – don’t you read your e-mail?” I chuckled for a moment, but the reality is that often times we receive a life changing message through electronic means.
Handwritten letters are historic, one could say. Antique shops have treasured letters dated from over a half century ago from people who were away at war or had moved far away from family.
We all wondered if Austin would actually write letters to the family while he was at basic training.
Packed and ready to go, we took him to the recruiting station. The parents received a quick briefing.
“Your sons and daughters will be able to stay in limited phone contact for a few days. After that, all electronics will be locked down and handwritten letters will be their only contact with family and friends.”
We hugged Austin goodbye, knowing we would see him the next day in Seattle at the swearing in ceremony. That evening I packed up some writing paper, envelopes, and stamps for Austin to take with him to Georgia.
Early the next morning before we left to the swearing in, I asked his best friend to put the stamps on the envelopes so that they wouldn’t get lost. I left the room for a moment, and when I returned I found Austin’s friend putting the stamps on the wrong corner of the envelopes!
I smiled to myself and thought fondly of the conversation we had a few nights before about writing letters and addressing envelopes.
Yes, a part of my heart is still in Ft. Benning. But this momma’s heart is just delighted, because we have received eight of the most glorious handwritten letters from our soldier!
When Austin left for basic last October,we knew he would have to surrender his cell phone and that letters would be his only form of communication for four months. Knowing that he had rarely mailed a letter, I asked him if he knew how to address an envelope.
“Mom, really?” He sounded insulted. “I’ve just filled out a ton of paperwork for enlistment that required me to write our address at least ten times.” Then he rattled off our address like a seasoned kindergartener who knows the entire alphabet.
His girlfriend jokingly gave a quick explanation of where the “to” and “from” address goes on the envelope and where the stamp belongs. We all laughed about it, knowing that handwritten letters are a thing of the past. Texting and e-mail is the preferred choice of communication.
Cartoon Parade just ran a comic that portrayed a woman who opened the front door to her boyfriend. He had a bouquet of roses in his hands. The caption said, “We broke up, Stuart – don’t you read your e-mail?” I chuckled for a moment, but the reality is that often times we receive a life changing message through electronic means.
Handwritten letters are historic, one could say. Antique shops have treasured letters dated from over a half century ago from people who were away at war or had moved far away from family.
We all wondered if Austin would actually write letters to the family while he was at basic training.
Packed and ready to go, we took him to the recruiting station. The parents received a quick briefing.
“Your sons and daughters will be able to stay in limited phone contact for a few days. After that, all electronics will be locked down and handwritten letters will be their only contact with family and friends.”
We hugged Austin goodbye, knowing we would see him the next day in Seattle at the swearing in ceremony. That evening I packed up some writing paper, envelopes, and stamps for Austin to take with him to Georgia.
Early the next morning before we left to the swearing in, I asked his best friend to put the stamps on the envelopes so that they wouldn’t get lost. I left the room for a moment, and when I returned I found Austin’s friend putting the stamps on the wrong corner of the envelopes!
I smiled to myself and thought fondly of the conversation we had a few nights before about writing letters and addressing envelopes.
Yes, a part of my heart is still in Ft. Benning. But this momma’s heart is just delighted, because we have received eight of the most glorious handwritten letters from our soldier!
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