I'm writing you a letter instead of telling you things in person for a few reasons:
a) it's October, which is also pastor appreciation month, and I wanted to appreciate you
b) this summer in a leader's meeting at CIY we were asked to raise our hands if someone had invested in us as teenagers, and I did. Which (of course) made me cry and feel like I needed to thank you
c) you and I are awkward human beings, and if I say it to your face I'll never be able to get through it
When I think about my time in youth group - I cannot remember a single message that Bryan ever preached.
I'm sure they were great, but the lasting impact was the time that you both spent on me.
Now that I have my own marriage, a job outside of the church, a house and a dog I'm beginning to understand just what it cost you to stop and make time for me.
So, thank you.
Thank you for letting me bake 50 cupcakes in your kitchen for Hannah's surprise party.
Thank you for always being real and honest about life in ministry.
Thank you for taking an entire Saturday to drive me to Lincoln Christian University for a college visit.
Thank you also for eating 20 chicken nuggets with me on the way home.
Thank you for giving good advice, even though sometimes it was tough to hear.
Thank you for asking the hard questions.
Thank you for opening up your home for countless Bible studies, small groups and random meetings.
Thank you for taking us to Steak n' Shake in the middle of the night after that car accident so we didn't have to be alone, even though you were 5 months pregnant annd probably exhausted.
Thank you for listening to my never-ending boyfriend woes.
Thank you for the endless cups of coffee.
Thank you for never making me feel like I was wasting your time.
Thank you for arguing with your husband in front of me -- it's how I figured out people who love each other can still disagree.
Thank you for listening to my current rants about life as a youth pastor's wife.
Thank you for still giving me advice that's challenging.
There are days when I come home from youth group with a heavy heart, and I wonder how on Earth you ever did this. Even with your own struggles and worries, you always made time for me. I didn't get it when I was in high school - but I'm starting to understand just how hard your job was.
And you have never decked a rude church lady.
In the last year I've come to understand just how much self control that takes, but you still respond with grace.
Thank you for being my youth pastor's wife. Please know that on days when it's hard for me to want to stay up late with teenagers, or open up my home or be at church -- I remember that a youth pastor's wife showed me love on my very worst days. I'm making good on your investment.
Sincerely,
Emily
