Godspeed (A letter to my son before his wedding day)
7/19/2023
Written By: Nancy Purtlebaugh
“God bless mommy and matchbox cars. God bless dad and thanks for the stars. God hears amen wherever we are. And I love you. Godspeed little man, sweet dreams little man. Oh my love will fly to you each night on angel's wings. Godspeed, sweet dreams.” -Dixie Chicks
When you were just a baby boy, I would listen to this song with you. You would cry at the top of your lungs, and I would sing this just as loud to calm you. And it would. So I would sing it every night. And it became our song. One day, a long time away, I will dance with you to this song at your wedding. That will be so far away!
“Mommy, it’s our song!!”, you yelled as you came up with your little hand to drag me on the dance floor. I picked you up and held you in my arms and we danced and danced. You wrapped your arms around my neck and sang it with me-God hears amen wherever we are and I love you. “I love you more, Mommy!” “Nope, I love you more Tristan”, I said. And we laughed!!
I dropped you off for your first day of school. You ran in and were so excited. You found your cubby right away. I knew time was moving too fast. You stopped what you were doing to run over and give me a hug–and off you were flying. And me? I was crying. My little man was growing up right before my eyes.
Today we dropped you off for your first week of church camp. My heart was torn in two. I was so excited for you to grow closer to God and your friends, but again-you were growing too fast. And I would miss you so much. But I knew you would soar.
Tonight I tucked you in. You had a rough day so I sang our song to you. You smiled the biggest smile, hugged me and said, I love you more. I wondered if this might be the last time I tucked you in? I knew these days were fleeting as you grew older.
You drove away today after getting your license. And I watched you go. “God, please protect him. I know He is yours first.” I waved and yelled, “I love you more!” You smiled and waved back.
Today you called me from college. You had already bought the ring. You were making the plans-you told us what time and where to be. I watched you ask your love to marry you, and she said yes! And my heart soared, and tears streamed down my cheeks. This was supposed to be a long way off. Time got away from me. I’m so happy for you sweet boy!
In a few days I get to watch you become a husband. To the girl of your dreams. I am so grateful to be your mom and that I have gotten to watch you grow up to be the man of God that you are, and that you waited and picked the girl God had for you. The one who we will get to call daughter, who we are BLESSED to call daughter.
And we will dance to our song. You will hold me as a man, and you will know that my love will fly to you each night on angel’s wings. That God hears Amen wherever we are. And you know that forever, I love you more.
You also know that you will now be hers, and she will be yours. Forever committed to God together. Because we got the chance to raise you to know these things. I thought this day would take longer to get to. I am thankful for every day I got to spend raising you. Thank you for letting me be your mom. I am excited to watch you two soar together in your life of loving Jesus.
Godspeed, little man.
May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful! Proverbs 23:25
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Ephesians 5:31
We got the joy to raise this young man, with God guiding us. We tried to treasure the moments, but as we all know-time goes by, often too quickly. As a mom to young adults, I would say to the mom of littles, treasure every moment you can.
It doesn’t matter if you work or stay home-every moment you get to spend with them-try and be present. I know this isn’t always easy, believe me I know! I know it’s unrealistic to spend every waking moment with them, and honestly, unhealthy, but the moments you are with them-be with them.
And know that it is a gift to get to raise these humans into who God wants them to be. We tried to never take that for granted. Sure, we failed along the way, but we allowed God to pick up the pieces and got to apologize for every mess up.
I wouldn’t change a thing. I would add, start praying often and early for them to live a life with God and for God. Also pray for their future spouse. We are called to raise them to be able to fly on their own, with God guiding them.