Today my son Nate turns thirty. Born well into the last century, he arrived, or should I say, he burst onto the scene, in the evening of August 12, 1978, an apt foreshadowing of what was to come. So it is happy labor day for me in many ways. Not only was I thrilled to have a healthy, nine-pound boy, I was also grateful and glad I had made it to the hospital and that he wasn’t born in the Rambler we were driving at the time.

Not knowing if we were having a son or daughter, and already having an almost-two-year-old daughter, I remember wondering if a boy would be as easy to love as a little girl. What a funny thought! And weren’t we in for a wonderful journey, a journey we are still happily on.

His father and I are pleased (amazed) and grateful for all our son has accomplished in his twenties. He astounds us with the sheer volume of productivity and fruitfulness, loving signs of God’s blessing on his labor.

Hardworking, cheerful, and resilient, he has always had a sturdy backbone. Whether it was in high school on the football field (or basketball court), in college and grad school, as a teacher, husband and father, and now an author (and speaker), we have always seen the same things: courage and faithfulness, humor and humility. He has always worked hard but made it look easy, so much so that sometimes people thought he wasn’t working at all. But we have had a close view in the bleachers and seen the sacrifices he was making.

Doug’s brother Evan and his wife Leslie mark this day as their thirtieth anniversary. They got engaged right around the time we found out we were expecting, so we knew we wouldn’t make it to California for the wedding, not by a long shot. So a happy 30th anniversary to them as well!

And to my son, well done, way to go, you impress us more all the time. I can say that I have always looked up to you and counted on you and been proud of you, but you have really surpassed even a loyal mother’s expectations. May the Lord bless you still more abundantly!

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