A Special Valentine’s Day Post
This one’s for the boys.
It’s been a little over a year since I guest hosted Serenity’s blog. At that time we were looking forward to celebrating a very important anniversary for Serenity, being five years cancer free. Well, it turns out we’re not done with that trial quite yet. Since then, Serenity has undergone major surgery to remove a cancer that returned in her lung, and she is just beginning to start her third round of an aggressive chemotherapy treatment. She’s endured things physically, mentally, and emotionally that I’m sure she didn’t think she could. Let me tell you, she is as tough as nails and as brave as they come. She is an amazing person who has refused to let cancer define her. She hasn’t stopped being a wife, a mother, sister, daughter, and friend. She is continuing to live life to the fullest, and she just happens to be the love of my life.
Fifteen years ago today, Serenity and I went on our first date. I remember that she didn’t eat much, which my dad said was a good thing. I don’t remember what we talked about, or many other details about the date for that matter, but I remember knowing that I loved her. We had known each other since we were ten, and there was always an infatuation there, but this was the first official step towards a relationship. Best decision of my life. We got married about a year and a half after that first date. So I wanted to say happy anniversary, Serenity, of that day we took our first step towards the rest of our lives. I love you more today than yesterday, and I’m sure less than tomorrow.
I have a secondary purpose in sharing my thoughts today. I’m writing this for my boys, because someday soon they’ll be men. And I’m doing my best to teach them how to be real men, how to be strong, respectful, honorable, honest, trustworthy and loyal. And I want them to read these words, and understand that it is right and good to fall in love with a woman, and be devoted only to her. I want them to know that real men aren’t afraid to look into the eyes of the woman they love, and say “I love you” every day, for the rest of their lives. Boys, down the road, when you find that one, give your all to her. Be willing to do anything for her to be successful in reaching her dreams. Be the one she can talk to, when no one else would understand. Don’t be a coward when she needs to cry, sometimes for no reason (at least not one a man would understand). Lay down the things that are important to you, if she needs you for anything. You’ll find that nothing is as important as she is. Be her friend, her best friend. When she is facing hard times, be a rock she can lean on. And when the good times come, savor them, and don’t take for granted all that you’ve been given. I love you guys, and I’m proud of you. I expect great things from the three Bohon boys.
So I guess while I’m at it, this is for any of you other men out there, especially any of you who are raising boys. Teach them what is right. They’ll love in life how they’ve been loved. They’ll treat people how they see you treating people. Be a man, and you’ll teach your son how to be one. So go grab your wife, in front of your kids, look her in the eyes, and tell her you love her - then plant a big one on her.
Michael