Happy Birthday to Amanda!
Last year I decided that I wanted to learn 25 things about this one amazing woman who I get to call my daughter-in-love. I don’t feel like I really learned enoughnor with intentionality. Perhaps her 26th year will be even better as far as growing in relationship, friendship and knowledge of her.
25 things I know about Amanda:
- loves Jesus and pursues Him.
- loves Clayton and is loved by him.
- has good taste
- athletic / runner
- Shows great attention to detail
- likes things to be neat and clean.
- a good friend.
- likes matcha
- Desires relationship / community
- caring sister & daughter.
- smart
- healthy and wants a wholistic lifestyle.
- Minimalist
- Doesn’t have a favorite color
- more introverted than I thought.
- less decisive than I thought
- Knows how to create and maintain community
- has a strong sense of justice.
- Plays piano
- Strong values and opinions
- I think her love language is acts of service or words of affirmation
- very patient
- Gorgeous
- Thoughtful
- Likes coffee
I don’t think I learned enough nor was I intentional as I had hoped. Further, I am still in awe and a bit afraid of her. Clayton’s heart is her home and I do not want to mess anything up. I want to respect her privacy and not inadvertently put up any walls or burn any bridges. I really love her and want to have a good relationship with her. I don’t know her heart fully yet nor do I fully understand the dysfunctions and hurts of her past – I need both her grace and her trust.
One of the sweet blessings in the past 3 years has been my new friendship with Amanda’s mom. It has been a privilege to pray regularly for our children and each other. May this relationship continue to flourish.
Dear Amanda, I am so proud of you and I am so grateful for the ways God has used you to move Clayton to be a more godly man. I am interested in you because of you, not just because you married my son. You are a treasure and this next year my goal is to be the best mother in law I can be to you, pursuing you more intentionally, creating new memories and deepening our friendship. I do not want to replace any relationships in your life, but I want you to feel comfortable and like a daughter, I hope to listen to your heart, encourage your gifts and communicate well with you.
I am often an overthinker, insecure as I continue to step back as a parent and let go to allow you both to “leave and cleave”. I worry about pushing too hard or land where I am not needed. I never want to be overbearing or overwhelming, so I tend to wait rather than initiate. I am letting you lead in our relationship. Please let me know how I can pray for you and support you. I would love to spend more time getting to know you, your faith journey, your friendships, happy memories, etc. I want to encourage you and be encouraged by you
Everyone has the desire to be known. I am not sure of the protocols, because I didn’t have a mother-in-law of my own, but I would think that most mothers-in-law want good relationships with their daughters-in-law. I do. I know I will probably continue to make mistakes so I will ask for forgiveness often!
I love you and wish you a very Happy Birthday!
Always and Joyfully,
Miriam