Wind Beneath My Wings

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint." --Isaiah 40:31

From the first time I watched the movie "Beaches", I was obsessed with that song by Bette Midler.  My dad was also a huge fan of her music, and I would wander around the basement singing that song while he was working on wrapping custom fishing rods.  If I sang something else, he'd ask me to sing that one before I went back upstairs, and I always did.  I was shy, so I didn't look at him, or I'd hide around the corner.  I liked to perform, but I didn't want people looking at me.  (I know, it's an oxymoron, but it is what it is.  To this day, I like to be on stage as a character, but if I'm on stage as myself, it's terribly frightening.)

For my senior year in high school, I sang this song and I dedicated it to my father.  It was my first real solo at school, and I was, again, horribly nervous, but I got through it.  I cried a little at the end, knowing that I was going to be leaving for college soon and my whole life would be different.  A few years later, I danced with my dad to this song at my wedding.  Never has there been a time that I've heard it on the radio without thinking of him.

My father is many things:  he is intelligent, quiet, calm, logical, and has a quick wit.  He is also compassionate, hardworking, honest, and loyal.  He most certainly was the bar I set when I started dating and all men have fallen short save one.  I want my sons to grow into the type of man that my father is, and that my husband is... and I want my daughter to marry the same sort of man.

There is something to be said for this, because so very few of these men exist, or have ever existed.  Someone you can trust in absolutely every circumstance to put your health, safety, and livelihood before their own.  Someone you can count on to be there in any situation if you need them.  Someone whose company you enjoy, and someone who, even when you disagree, always respects you.

Someone who loves you absolutely and unconditionally.

There are only three of these beings with whom I've ever had this sort of relationship:

My father, my husband, and my Jesus.

That's a lofty list.  But none of them have ever let me down.  Were it not for them, I would not be the woman I am today.  I love you all, more than I can ever express.

Stephanie Jean