Teddy Roosevelt was unashamedly "bullish" on children:It is exceedingly interesting and attractive to be a successful business man or railroad man or farmer, or a successful lawyer or doctor or writer, or even a president; but, for unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children...certainly makes all other forms of success and achievement lose their importance by comparison.
When you make your children your top priority, you will receive many blessings from the fruit of your labor. Barbara and I saw this during a FamilyLife staff banquet in the summer of 1992. We were brought up front for a question-and-answer session, only to be told that the real purpose of the evening was to honor us for our upcoming twentieth wedding anniversary.
Several good friends who had been hiding at the back of the room were brought up to say a few words. But the real highlight came when all six of our children showed up to read tributes to us.
Laura, seven at the time, went first, standing on a chair: "Thank you, Mom, for all the dresses you made me. For hugs and kisses. For being a great mom. Dad, thanks for being my ice-cream buddy, for the stories you tell at bedtime, and for wrestling with me."
One down, five to go. I looked at Barbara-we both were choking back tears.
Deborah was next. In her quiet, soft voice she thanked her mom for helping her with homework and cutting her hair short. She thanked me for taking her on fishing dates. Then she said: "And I want to thank both of you for adopting me when I was a baby."
That did it! Barbara and I were basket cases for the rest of the evening.
That evening will go down as one of the greatest memories we've ever experienced. Barbara and I count it as our greatest privilege and accomplishment to be called "Mommy" and "Daddy."