Our story isn't that unusual I suppose. While many new wives must guess and imagine and wonder what kind of father their husband will be, I already knew. My husband and I worked for the same store, but in different departments. Many times I would see him walk through the door with his two sons happily tagging along. They would, inevitably, come to my counter for an ice cream cone or some other treat. Dad would lean on the ice cream freezer and give me a smile that melted my heart, and the boys would eagerly, but with a little shyness at the same time, tell me tales of their day. Since my sons lived with their father and far from their mother, they had a chance to build a special bond that only men living alone can do. This was the typical bachelor family, with lots of laughter and good natured teasing. Coming from a very chaotic childhood, their ease and good humor with each other astounded me. Rarely had I seen a father have a relationship like that with his children, and it warmed my heart and there was no chance I could resist wishing I was a part of that.

The attraction was impossible to deny between my husband and I, as much as I insist to this day that I did not secretly yearn for him. But before our first date I knew all I needed to know about him. I knew from seeing him with his sons so often that both boys had a case of idol worship, and that dad tried as hard as he could to be everything a father should be, coach of the little league team, homework helper, cook, cleaner, disciplinarian when needed. Being a single father isn't an oft-discussed problem in America, but it certainly had all the challenges a single mother faces. I couldn't help but admire his dedication to his sons and his efforts to raise them well. I knew before he asked me out that if he did, when he did, that if I said yes, I would be committing myself to a lifetime with this man and this family.

He finally asked me out, and as you can tell since I'm writing this, I said yes, to the first date, to marriage, to a life together raising our children. The adjustment was not easy in the beginning, and we had our share of struggles as the boys tried to adapt to sharing their father with me, and as I tried to adjust to being an instant mom of pre-teen boys. It took a lot of discussion, and a lot of thinking and worrying and wondering if I was doing a good job, but eventually we settled into our family quite nicely. We went on to add 3 more children to our family for a total of 5, the oldest being 21 now and the youngest 5 months. I've been able to see my husband handle rebellious teens and sick babies, and I am still in awe of the wonderful job he does. He may lose his patience here and there, and he may demand a lot in one area or another, but I know, and more importantly our children know, that he wants only the best for them.

Seeing my husband as a father made me start falling in love with him in the very beginning, and as our journey through life together continues, seeing him as a father helps cement the love I feel for him. I look forward to the rest of our life together, and can't wait to see him as a grandfather someday down the road.

Learn more about this author, Hope W.
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