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Love: Don’t Settle For Anything Less

February 14, 2014 By momcafe 68 Comments

I came downstairs, tired and grumpy as I always am in the morning. I approached my kitchen counter for my first stop. As I began the routine of making the kids breakfast, packing lunches and making my coffee, I glanced down at his note.

I blushed. I smiled. I sighed.

My daughter came beside me and saw the note as I held it to my heart.

“He never forgets, does he mom?”

“No. Never. And I save every single one of them. Honey, I pray that one day; you will find the man who loves you like your father loves me…

A man who takes time to feed your heart and honor your dreams.

A man who nurtures your weaknesses and carries your burdens.

A man who tells you over and over again that you’re beautiful.

A man that sees beyond your flaws and embraces your quirks.

A man who puts your needs first and his second.

A man who praises your efforts and accepts your failings.

A man who holds you when you crumble and raises you when you desperately need the lift.

A man who forgives your mistakes and remembers your gifts.

A man who listens to your thoughts and cherishes your perspective.

A man who realizes your potential and admires your purpose.

A man who trusts you with his vulnerabilities and realizes his insecurities.

A man of honesty and strength and integrity who can lead his family with faith and perseverance.

A man of deep passion for all he holds dear.

A man that never gives up or lets go, because sometimes life gets hard.

A man who realizes his worth and values yours.

A man who sacrifices much so that you can have plenty.

A man who loves you as you are and celebrates as you grow.

A man who is committed and dedicated to loving you.

Oh, precious daughter. Don’t settle for anything less.”

love, inspirational quotes

 

 

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Filed Under: Encouragement in Expression, Encouragement in Marriage Tagged With: Love, Marriage, parenting, Relationships, Teaching kids about love

Comments

  1. Seana Turner says

    February 14, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    I so agree with this … sending the same message to my daughters! I pray for them to be blessed with men who love and cherish them:)

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:54 am

      AMEN to THAT Seana!!

      Reply
  2. Janine Huldie says

    February 14, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Aww, made my heart melt and warm a bit more on this cold morning. Happy Valentine’s Day and thank you for sharing, Chris!! 🙂

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:55 am

      I hope YOU have a man like this Janine… I can’t imagine anything less than that for YOU, my friend. Gems like you deserve this kind of love. XOXO

      Reply
  3. Christine says

    February 14, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    I pray the same thing for all of my kids. I pray they find wonderful spouses (if marriage ends up being their calling) but also that they be wonderful spouses themselves.
    I so enjoy reading about good, strong examples of marriage.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:56 am

      Unfortunately, there are few examples of strong marriages- and that breaks my heart. ugh.

      Reply
  4. The Dose of Reality says

    February 14, 2014 at 2:28 pm

    Aw! Your sweet words about your wonderful husband made me tear up. I am so glad that you have a husband who loves and honors you. (and I know that he is equally blessed to have such a loving and beautiful mate in his life) You deserve every good thing, my friend. 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day!! –Lisa

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 5:00 am

      AW! Thanks so much Lisa!!!! As do YOU, my friend. As do YOU. Mwuah!

      Reply
  5. Lori Wildenberg says

    February 14, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    Wow! Love this. (I totally related to your first sentence!) I’m going to share this with my girls.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:58 am

      Funny thing- the note he left, wasn’t the Valentine. It was a regular note he leaves (almost) every day for me… because he knows that my love language is words of encouragement. THAT’S the man I married! THAT’S the man our children should be able find…

      Reply
  6. Theres Just One Mommy says

    February 14, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    A beautiful post. I hope you print it out for her to keep always. Something we all want, and we all want for our daughters.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:59 am

      Do you know I print out every one of my posts and have them all in a box for each of my children? yep, I do. 😉

      Reply
  7. Karmen says

    February 14, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    Love this! Love that you are loved so dearly and can make that an example for your daughter!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:59 am

      Me too Karmen… me too!! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Considerer says

    February 14, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    Awwwwwh bless. That’s very sweet, and sounds like you have a wonderful man 🙂 Glad your kids are getting such good role models 😀

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:54 am

      I DO have a wonderful man… much like yours. 😉

      Reply
  9. another jennifer says

    February 14, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    I hope my sons will be this way to their future spouses. They have a great model in their dad, so they’ve got a great start.

    Happy Valentine’s Day, Chris! xo

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:53 am

      I have a GOOD feeling they will be amazing husbands, Jen!!! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Katie @ Pick Any Two says

    February 14, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    So beautiful. Right now I only have a son, and every day I pray that we are able to raise him to be the kind of husband, father, and person that his dad is – the kind of person who loves with all his heart, be it his wife, his children, or the stranger at the grocery store.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:53 am

      I love that your husband has that kind of heart, Katie. Those are the good guys indeed! I wish every woman would be able to have that kind of love…

      Reply
  11. Kate says

    February 14, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    You are so lucky- and he is lucky to have you too! As he obviously knows…

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:51 am

      We really are blessed, Kate. I am forever grateful! 🙂

      Reply
  12. WriterMom Angela says

    February 14, 2014 at 8:38 pm

    You made me teary eyed. I hope that I’ve been an example for my son and my daughter to always love yourself enough to find someone who loves you twice as much!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:50 am

      You touched on something very true- finding love is really two-fold, isn’t it? They have to love themselves enough to realize they are worthy of this love we speak of… I pray that will be true for them!!

      Reply
  13. My Inner Chick says

    February 14, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    —-beautiful.

    we all deserve a man like this. ALL of us.

    I already have mine…& I can’t help imaging (often) that my sister Kay never did… NEVER

    . She’s always say, “Kim, I wish I had somebody who really loved me.”

    ….except now with Our Father in Heaven.

    xxx

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:49 am

      Awful. Just awful that she didn’t have the love she so deserved. I bet our Heavenly Father is making it up to her now…

      Reply
  14. Rabia @TheLiebers says

    February 14, 2014 at 9:43 pm

    What sweet, sweet words and wishes for your daughter. I hope to raise those men; and I hope my daughter finds one of them!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:47 am

      AMEN to THAT Rabia!!!!

      Reply
  15. Sandy Ramsey says

    February 14, 2014 at 10:29 pm

    This is beautiful and believe me, you are showing them exactly what they should look for and they won’t settle for less!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:47 am

      Oh do I pray, Sandy. Oh, do I pray!!! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Jhanis says

    February 14, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    I wish to God that my husband and I a being great examples to our kids. But my husband and I will do our darnedest best to raise them well.

    Happy Valentine’s Day!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:46 am

      You have the drive and the love and the passion for your kids that will surely do just that, Jhanis!!!

      Reply
  17. Kim says

    February 14, 2014 at 11:32 pm

    And, for me, I hope my boys become that type of man because every single female deserves that from their guy!!!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:45 am

      AMEN to THAT Kim!! Amen to THAT!! I have the same hopes for my boy!!

      Reply
  18. Laurie says

    February 15, 2014 at 1:50 am

    This is beautiful, my friend. I love that you have that! Note to self…must share.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:44 am

      I love you for all your sharing!! It means THE WORLD to me, Laurie!!! XOXO

      Reply
  19. Alison Hector says

    February 15, 2014 at 2:07 am

    Beautiful, Chris. You are blessed beyond measure, my friend. Happy Valentine’s Day.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:44 am

      I am truly blessed!! I call Derek my ‘miracle’. 🙂

      Reply
  20. Trinity says

    February 15, 2014 at 2:57 am

    So beautiful!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:43 am

      Thank you Trinity!!! I appreciate you coming by to read this!

      Reply
  21. Tamara says

    February 15, 2014 at 6:33 am

    She won’t because she has her father as an example.
    Scarlet and Cassidy are TIGHT. I believe she’s learning fantastic things about what to look for in a man one day. And I believe it’s going to be great..

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:43 am

      They really soak it in… and I pray that our girls find another Cassidy and Derek to honor and treasure their hearts!!

      Reply
  22. Dana says

    February 15, 2014 at 4:38 pm

    Aw, Chris – how blessed you are to have such a wonderful man. And he is equally blessed, I know. Happy belated Valentine’s Day!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:42 am

      These are the important things really…. not that there are dishes still in the sink that he said he would do, or that he forgets almost everything I ask him to do. LOL Eh- not important! 😉

      Reply
  23. Tricia says

    February 15, 2014 at 9:00 pm

    Beautiful. It occurs to me all the time how our marriage sets the example. Makes it doubly important to work on it all the time.
    Glad you had a lovely start to valentines day!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:41 am

      I think of that truth all the time…. our kids see everything and soak it ALL in. They will surely learn how to love and be loved from us.

      Reply
  24. Ilene says

    February 15, 2014 at 10:04 pm

    Yes….I don’t even know what else to say…except yes….xo

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:40 am

      I’ll say it- YOU deserve this and don’t YOU settle for ANYTHING less!!!!

      🙂

      Reply
  25. Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says

    February 16, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    Yeah. Just yeah. My biggest fear is that my daughter will settle for less and so we work every day to make sure she knows that she never should. Loved this, Chris!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:39 am

      One of my biggest fears too, Lisa. Yeah, I get it. Lets PRAY they make the right choice!!!

      Reply
  26. Amber Day Hicks says

    February 16, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    Tears! This is SO awesome % so true! Even though the Hubs never got to meet my Daddy, there are some days I wanna scream “stop, you act just like Daddy sometimes.” Not in a weird way, just certain mannerisms are a lot alike, I never thought I would be interested in somebody like that, guess I was wrong (2nd time around)

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:38 am

      I think it’s certainly not by accident he shows ‘signs’ of your father SSSF… I just love that!!!

      Reply
  27. Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says

    February 16, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    Beautiful Chris! I have a man like that and I certainly hope my daughters all find a man like that someday, too! We are lucky to have them and I they are lucky to have us! 🙂

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:36 am

      We are BLESSED women indeed!!! I love reading about the good guys… 🙂

      Reply
  28. Stephanie says

    February 17, 2014 at 1:37 am

    What a beautiful description of a good and faithful husband. Looks like we both found gems. This fits the love of my life to tea. I’m so blessed to have found him.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:36 am

      Oh Stephanie, we are so SO blessed aren’t we? I am so glad you have the kind of man you deserve and frankly, all women deserve!

      Reply
  29. Leah says

    February 17, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    I tell my step daughter this all the time: you don’t have to settle for anything less. Be with a man like your father. They exist. I found him. True love. xo

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:35 am

      I love that- they DO EXIST Leah!!! Sometimes you have to wait to really discover where and who they are…. and it’s worth the wait!

      Reply
  30. AnnMarie says

    February 17, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    I love that he sees what a gem he has in you. That’s one thing I can honestly say. I didn’t settle. I never felt like I was in a hurry or that Leo was my only choice. I chose him because he was everything I wanted in a man and he is that and more. I think we are some of the lucky ones. 🙂

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:34 am

      Oh do I agree AnnMarie!!! We are truly BLESSED beyond belief!!

      Reply
  31. Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama says

    February 17, 2014 at 5:37 pm

    This is beautiful, Chris. And exactly what I want for my daughters…when they’re 30!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 4:33 am

      AMEN to THAT Nicole!!! 😉

      Reply
  32. Tammy says

    February 19, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    So, first off…I’VE MISSED READING YOUR BLOG!!! Been a busy couple of weeks!
    Second – This is true of Derek, and my precious hubby! What gifts we have in them!
    Third – I am SO printing this and giving it to my girls! They’ve witnessed our love, our awesome highs and our extreme lows. I want them to hold out for the men that God has been preparing just for each of them. The men he’s given hearts to hold theirs.
    SO beautiful!

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      February 21, 2014 at 3:16 am

      AW!!! I miss you BIG Tam!! And YES- your girls and my girl deserve nothing LESS THAN THE men we are blessed to have!!!

      Reply
  33. sherill says

    November 21, 2014 at 1:50 am

    so true…. very well said. I wish all of these for my daughters. I believe that true love exist and it is worth the wait. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      December 1, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      Yes Sherill!! It truly IS worth the wait. And worth all the heartbreaks to find the right one! May our daughters find exactly this. <3

      Thanks so much for stopping by to read this, Sherill. 🙂

      Reply
  34. Lynne says

    December 12, 2014 at 5:07 am

    Love the post! You are worthy, do not settle for anything less.This is what our children should live by. Thanks for sharing your wonderful story.

    Reply
    • momcafe says

      January 3, 2015 at 8:11 pm

      Oh thank you so much Lynne for reading this!! I will keep drilling that message into my girl for her lifetime, and pray for it to sink in always.

      Reply

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