A Letter to My Husband about his Father-in-Law’s Love

My Dear Husband,

Being the only daughter of a single father is something that would be hard to understand for the oldest son of parents who were married for nearly 50 years.

Our upbringings were vastly different.

Because I was the only child of a single parent, my relationship with my dad went beyond just the love of a father and daughter. We were best friends. Buddies. We did whatever we wanted, traveled, went out to eat, joked and laughed and loved life together. Bringing you into that mix might’ve been hard if you weren’t who you are.

My dad loved you.

He even knew your sickest of secrets and he still respected you as a man.

My dad loved you.

My dad respected you.

My dad trusted you.

My dad adored our children. I loved having him next-door for the kiddos to run back-and-forth through the yards and play at his house and ours. He was so proud to have us move in next-door. He was so proud of the house that you built for your family.

Had he not died five days before … My dad would’ve adored our son. Sometimes it’s hard for me to remember that our boy never got to meet him. I imagine them riding the tractor together, racing the four wheelers through the field, mowing the grass, fishing, and camping …. But these are all the things that YOU DO with our son. My dad would be proud of the dad that you are.

I believe my dad was able to pass peacefully because of your promise to him on his death bed. I will never forget feeling your strength behind me after they took all the tubes out of his face. You stood behind my nine month pregnant body, you were my strength, as I trembled and cried watching my father struggle to breathe. You spoke up - talking to his failing body, and promised to take care of me and the kids. Shortly after, his breathing stopped.

Thank you for keeping your promise!

I believe my dad would be so proud of you. Proud of the work that you have done to his property, maintaining all that he loved.

He would be proud of the legacy that you are continuing with his bloodline.

My dad knew that people sucked… but you weren’t one of those people. He could tell a bad egg from a good one and YOU, my love, you are a good one. Thank you for filling the void of the absence of my father. I no longer have him to call best friend… But I have you.

You are my best friend.

You are my safety net.

You are my family.

When the kids are grown and gone…

You will be all that I have. I don’t have siblings to call on. I don’t have aunts and uncles standing by. I have no one - but you.

I am sorry, if that puts a lot of pressure on you. Don’t let it. Because regardless… I will be OK. Whether you stay or go, I will have the strength of the Lord. Our Mighty God will sustain me.

When I tell you that I have this deep and overwhelming love for you that you are not capable of understanding… It goes far beyond the love of a husband from a wife… You are literally my everything. You are my whole life, my whole family, You are all the pieces of my heart.

Thank you for helping me get through every day life and reminding me to be strong and pull up my boot straps and keep facing life.

I don’t know where I would be without you,

my sweet husband.

You were a good son-in-law. Thank you.

I have no doubt that your father-in-law loves you!

He is smiling down from heaven at the life that you have created for his daughter and his grands.

Thank you my love.