We've called you Stephen, Skeebo, Skeebee, Bubba, but mostly we've called you sweet, kind, generous, energetic, crazy, the reason I went gray young, miracle (because you and I both are still alive) and now we call you the groom and soon we will call you husband. My prayer was that if God ever gave me a boy, he would be all boy! And boy are you all boy!! You dug up the back yard looking for the devil (and you've made him run for his life quite a few times sadder that he messed with you), you wandered off in crowded stores more than I can count, you ate us out of a weeks worth of groceries in a few days, we won't talk about the speeding tickets or the chipped teeth or broken ankle. We could go on and on and on. Mostly you've made me the happiest boy mom on the planet that wouldn't change a day with you if I could and would happily walk through each day all over again.
We have prayed for your future wife from the moment you were born. We prayed for her salvation and protection in every way until the time God would bring you two together. Somehow we knew from the time we met her as a sweet young, very young, high school freshman that she was perfect for you. Not perfect, as none of us are, but perfect for you. God took you both on an amazing journey both together and apart. He worked in you and through you and brought you back to one another when He felt the time was right. In the meantime many of us, including your mom, scratched our heads and wondered the what ifs, and what in the worlds, and the what are they thinking, and what are you doing God, over a few years. But God...enough said.
Stephen we want you to be the leader God has raised you up to be. Be strong. Be tender. You have been a great team player and teammate since you were 5 years old. Now God is giving you a teammate for life and he's saved the best one for last. You've learned many life lessons on the playing field and now this is the greatest playing field of all, marriage. You've learned how to fight through adversity. You've learned not to quit. You've learned how to stand up for your team and rise to the challenge on every occasion. Kaylin has learned many of these lessons as well on the field and being a teammate. Marriage is the greatest field of all. It's worth every tear. It's worth the persevering. You never quit or give up. Fight together and for one another. Remember you're on the same team fighting for the same thing and the only enemy is Satan who wants to destroy...each other is never the enemy. Love her well but love God more. Cling to Him more tightly and He will be the one to superglue the two of you to one another. Keep the priorities straight and He will work out all of the details and take care of every need that you have. You've always done that and in marriage you will need to continue that.
We can't wait to celebrate your great wedding day! You will have your married brothers next to you who have shown you well what it means to love a wife as Christ loves the church. They love you both and celebrate this day and the years to come with you. You will have your little (but not so little) brother standing by you who has been part of your life since you were 19 months old. You were a great big brother! You both learned how to be not only brothers but teammates as well through the years. You stood shoulder to shoulder many times on the field and he will stand shoulder to shoulder with you on your wedding day as well. You've always been there for one another and marriage won't change that. He loves you both as well and will always be there for you.
Those protective sisters will be standing there for both of you. They've been the ones never afraid to speak up with their opinion and cast their vote of approval on many things in your life whether you asked or not. We know that they approve heartily of your choice, thankfully. They always wanted the best for you which speaks highly of you. They knew what you deserved and what you didn't and they, like all of us, know Kaylin is not only a gift but she's a prize! Your Dad is the only one who actually gets to speak that day, hopefully he gets through it. No one could be prouder than he is of you! You've made him proud in a thousand ways but next to choosing to follow Jesus, choosing your bride probably is his proudest moment. It's something we prayed for and we've seen God answer exceedingly greater than we imagined. We've seen you wait and be wise when it would've been easy to just jump and choose someone, anyone. All the times we felt lonely for you, you were perfectly happy in your own skin, waiting and serving in the church and enjoying good friends, and playing ball. You were trusting God in His timing and in His choice. Nothing could make a dad and mom prouder.
Kaylin, this whole family is nuts about you. We are so grateful that your parents have raised you so well and set such an amazing example before you. You have been serving God and following Him since before Stephen days and the without Stephen days which tells us it's who you are and not who you're with. You've been around us long enough to know that family is priority and we stick together. That may cause you to want to run at times, depends on how sticky we get haha. But know that we will fight for you like one of our very own because you will be. No friend will ever love you more, cheer for you more, want the best for you more, pray for you more than we will. Like I said, you are exceedingly more than what we could've asked for, you are a gift, a prize to Stephen, yes, but to all of us as well. We have no doubt but that God reached down and specifically chose you for one another. Cling to Him even tighter than you cling to Stephen and love Him even more and all will be well.
I love you my boy child! You are a mom's dream and no one could be more proud of you. I love you MORE, but I also LIKE you, a WHOLE LOT!!!!
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