I've been married to the same wonderful lady for twenty two years. We lived together for two years before we got married, that's almost a quarter century of training. Of course that means, I am very well trained. She also seems to know me, much better than I know myself. For example; when we go out to eat she will tell when I've had enough. She doesn't do it mean, as a matter of fact she makes it sound like a perfectly reasonable suggestion. She also never insists; she ultimately leaves the final decision up to me. Now if I follow directions (let's not kid ourselves; that's what it is) I enjoy the meal and the rest of the evening. If I don't, if get all "Daddy" on her and just eat until my own sense tells me to stop; the evening is over and I spend so much time in the bathroom that my feet fall asleep.

It always happens, she's always right and it hasn't always been that way. I think she has somehow, hypmotizes me, or something. It doesn't stop with food, it's clothes I'll like, movies she'll suggest, I'll scoff and after she insist she'll have to pause it when I need to excuse myself because I didn't listen at dinner. I don't mean to complain, I'm not dumb, I know how good I have it. I realize I could never take care of myself to the level of health and well being to which I've become accustomed. I really only mention it as a lead up to introducing my daughter.

I am the proud father of intelligent, polite, well mannered and beautiful eighteen year old daughter. The amazing thing about my oldest is that she's never had a boy friend. Now there have always been boys around, but my wife and my completely honest daughter has assured me over the years, those guys were just friends. My baby never "liked" any of them that way; I know this because I ask a lot. You see I want to be sure. On the day she was born I composed that talk, with that boy, whom would one day come to my house and take her away from her home and family. I have spent eighteen years editing and perfecting my greatest composition. I'm ready and have been for years.

Of course my daughter has lived with me almost has long as my wife, and they spend a lot of time together. I'm beginning to think that they might just be working together to keep things from me. I mean come on; I've got friends who've given the "talk" three or four times. It's not fair, these guys weren't ready, they didn't have it all planned to the tiniest detail. There are definite things this...this boy, needs to know, things that can save his life. It would be un-Christian of me if I failed to make this...this boy, fully aware of the potential for harm. Of course, I'm prepared to like and respect the young man she chooses, I really am just trying to help. I really am just trying to be the very best I can be, at the job I love the most.

We all define ourselves with words; who we really are is determined by names we give ourselves. Those words develop through our experiences, and change as we grow. There can be literally hundreds, even thousands of words we use to complete the complexity of being human. For me, being a "Dad" has been the most challenging. It's the one I've worked at the hardest, and take the most pride in my accomplishments. I don't know if that's good or bad. For me, being a Christian is fun and easy, I simply believe, have faith. Being a husband; I failed miserable for a very long time, but my training is finally paying off.

Being a Father; the scariest, hardest, most wonderful job in the world.