First, I’d like to thank all of you who voted for my son Jake. You have definitely made a big difference in the way the race is stacking up thus far. I’d like to assure you that you did not make a wrong decision in voting for him. He is a very special young man, and it’s not just his mom that thinks so. He’s the kind of guy who would help anyone, friend or stranger; the kind of guy who sees the best in everyone. He’s the kind that frequently puts his wants and needs last in order to help those he loves. He understands that the word “love” is often synonymous with “sacrifice.” For more than 2 years, he was the chief breadwinner of our family (mom, dad, and 6 younger siblings still living at home at the time), when his father was sick and disabled from an accident and botched surgery. He had to drop out of school and get a full-time job working at a landfill in order to do that. He’s been playing “catch up” ever since. Yet, he has a million dollar smile and an amazing sense of humor. (So much so that dozens of people have told him that he should have gone into comedy as a profession. He gets people laughing so hard they cry.)
He was homeschooled from 6th through 12th grade. His GED grades were so high that he won a “Governor’s Scholarship.” He is multi-talented, hard-working, and the most caring, compassionate man you’d ever want to meet. Tricia is one lucky girl and she’d be the first to tell you that.
Some of you have said that you didn’t really like his (and Tricia’s) comments regarding children and (a lack of comments) regarding religion. Those topics were never addressed by the newspaper, however. They were never questioned about children or religion. They were allowed a limited amount of words to use in answering the questions, so they tried to stay focused on each question as much as possible. Still, they both managed to say something about their plans for children and about their religion. Here are some of their comments: (Jake) “The celebration of our 25th anniversary will depend upon a lot of factors, such as: If we have children, if they will be planning it along with our friends, if we will both be alive and healthy, and so many more. Our first and 25th anniversaries will be different mainly because, on the first, it will be just us and on the 25th it will be us and all that we helped to create.” (Jake—regarding a budget: “If we don't start planning and saving for our future now, how can we expect to have the time or resources later, with the added expenses of owning a home, raising children, and, possibly, illness or tragedy? For us, marriage and a budget go hand in hand.” (Jake—regarding conflicts) “This will be not only by our own accord but also with the help of God. We are fortunate to share the same faith, and we put all our trust in God and his "Divine Providence." We know he had a hand in bringing us together, and, by finding each other, we found our purpose. When problems arise, we will pray together, plan together, and resolve them together.” (Tricia) “I am looking forward to sharing a family and home with him for the rest of my life.” (Tricia) “My ideal way of living is what some people would call "old fashioned," but I believe that it is the man's chief responsibility to provide the income, while it is the woman's responsibility to cook, clean, pay the bills on time and to take care of her husband and children.” (Tricia)
As for the objection to the phrase, “if we have children,” it is wise to realize that absolutely everything in our future (except for death and taxes) is unknown to us. In the “good old days” it was not uncommon to hear “God willing” as a preface or ending to everything. I have known couples who have wanted, but were not able to have, children, and were even unsuccessful at adopting. Having children is a blessing which none of us are guaranteed.
Both Jake and Tricia, very much, want children. Some of Tricia’s family members and friends were horrified to hear that she plans to use no birth control, but to welcome every child that God will allow her to have. She has taken a strong and courageous stand on this position.
Anyway, THANKS AGAIN and God bless you all!
See the above post for more details...
Darn, I LOVE YOUR HANDLE!!
We have a guest...
All the luck to Jake and Tricia and your family MD !!
Stay safe !!!
Would to God that we had millions of more like them in every city and county in this land.