What I Want My Children to Know About Love

You are a child of God, literally made in His image, with a divine nature. He is your Heavenly Father and knows and loves you personally.

Love does not make you feel ashamed or frightened or small.

The “perfect” mate isn’t really perfect – read this post to understand what I mean.

Go ahead and make a list of all the qualities you expect in a mate. Set your sights high. Just remember that someone that amazing will be setting his or her sights high too.

Don’t rush intimacy.

A kiss (unfortunately) does not always mean you’re dating or committed. (I made that foolish mistake far more times than I’d like to admit).

Marriage is wonderful. No. Really. Base it on love, commitment, respect, and faith.

Don’t pay attention to the sitcom versions of love – I still get little butterflies when Dad comes home.

Be patient with love. It may not happen when, where, or how you expect it.

Indulge in poetry, novels, and romantic comedies, but don’t bother with romance novels.

There really is value in all kinds of love – friendship, family, romantic. Treasure them all.

Your mom and dad love you more than you can imagine.

Marry a man you want to be the father of your children.

Marry a woman you want to be the mother of your children.

Love your siblings because they can be treasured friends throughout life.

Try to never play with someone else’s heart. If/when you do, commit to never doing it again.

Never grow too old to hug your mom.

“Old fashioned” versions of love are actually timeless – courtship, waiting until marriage, marrying, having children, committing to one person forever. These choices will never become passe’.

Falling in love is just the beginning of something wonderful.