The Good Man File

Recently I discovered that I can see all my previously-lost-in-a-list-of-thousands Draft Posts in Blogger. I can see only my Draft Posts. So, I read through the thirty of them, deleted most, and will be publishing a few that I think are worthwhile keeping out of the dustbin. ~KTL

This blog post was originally drafted on November 6, 2013--published today and very appropriately for my husband's birthday!

MiraVia annual fundraising banquet, 10/23/14

When I was a single woman very desirous of marrying, my aunt had to shore up my confidence that there really are still good men in the world. I didn't even know of a man who existed who would pay for my share of the dinner date (instead of going Dutch), so I was in despair that I could find a man who wanted a homeschooling, homemaking wife.

So, my aunt began the Good Man File. Any time she found a news article that exhibited a truly good man, she'd send me the clipping and I literally saved them in a file to inspire me that all was not lost.

Indeed, all was not lost and I met Chris in my late 20s.

Last night I was reminded of the Good Man File because I thought that I wish I were still adding to it, that I could tell currently single women (and teenage girls) some of the attributes that actually make a good husband. These are attributes way different than modern pop songs and TV shows and magazines would have us think.

Chris does something I never thought or of knew what would be important when I was a single lady hoping to find a husband: He goes to great lengths to accommodate me during the time when I'm uncomfortable leaving my nursing baby back at the house.

A phase that lasts, oh, say, a year and a half per baby. Until six months or so later when the phase begins anew with the next baby!

Last night when my husband inquired if I had an outfit ready to wear to a wedding next weekend, I said I did but I wasn't so happy with my blouse and just didn't have time to shop for another one. Immediately he suggested he drive us all to the mall (where I haven't shopped in probably six years--ha ha! that harrowing experience is a tale for another time!) and he would sit with them in the parking lot so I could shop without the baby but be no more than ten minutes away from him. (This marked, I think, the second time I've been apart from nine-month-old Joseph.)

He has suggested this accommodation so I could go to dental appointments or do any number of errands, baby after baby, for four babies now.

I doubt I have any single ladies reading this blog but, if I do, I suggest you file that away in your Good Man File!

No 22-month-old Joseph in tow!