A Poem For You

Having a baby together changes everything in marriage. It changes the dynamic, it limits the freedom, it ups the responsibility and hardship. But it also grows the love, it stretches the communication, it shows you new sides to your teammate.

This year of marriage was special because it was the year we first we experienced parenthood together. Seeing my husband become a dad has made me fall in love with him all the more this year - in both the deep difficulty and in the perfect moments.

Here is a poem for the part of him that I've seen come alive this year of marriage. For my teammate and my best friend. I could not do this without him. I am so thankful.

What She Sees

By Gracey Armstrong

My face is pressed into the slight sweat of your neck,

My eyes peer over your shoulder

And there I see her

Looking at us.

I see her looking at us when we talk to each other in silly voices and to her sing silly songs.

I see her looking at you when you speak to me with kindness and say I’m sorry and I love you.

It is not only those words that she’ll hear but actions she will see that prove those things,

And it will change her life

To see a man use his power to empower a woman

To see a man never use his loud words as a sword

To scar, but to slay lies of self-doubt and anxiety in her mother.

I see her there in the background, looking at us.

At seven months old I see the way she already stares at your hand as it strokes the back of mine

As we sit on the couch and watch TV on a Tuesday night.

At nine months old she already knows a dad who comes home

A man’s face that lights up simply at the sight of her.

I see her looking at our heads pressed together

as a tent above her

As we pray over her

Each night,

Learning what’s right –

A father who cares about his wife

and his daughter’s life.

Not only with prayers but in play time,

Because she is worth his time.

I see her looking at us now.

I see her looking at you.

One day she will look for in a man

what she sees in you.

And I know that my granddaughter

Will see what my daughter saw

Because of you.