The Chocolate Chip Cookie

The tradition began more than 18 years ago when we first started dating. My boyfriend (who is now my husband) began suprising me by baking me HUGE chocolate chip cookies. He'd bring them to my track meets when he came to cheer me on, or show up at my door with one of his homemade delicacies. Throughout our almost 15 years of marriage, he's continued the tradition, often with our boys working alongside him.

Now it must be understood that my husband's cookies are no ordinary run-of-the-mill cookies. They are his specialty! In fact, they are far superior to mine...a truth he never flaunts, but one I've come to accept nonetheless. Not only are my husband's cookies amazingly delicious...they're a reminder of the early days of our relationship and the selfless, protective love my husband shows me daily.

It's because of this that my heart skipped a beat when I returned home last night. I'd been away on a wonderfully refreshing overnight retreat with my girlfriends, and as we pulled up to the front of my house, all four of my "men" met me at the car. They carried my luggage and shopping bags into the house, excitedly announcing they had a surprise for me. They led me into the kitchen where this awaited me:

I'm so glad that our boys know the history of the cookie. They know that after 18 years, they're dad is still baking this cookie for their mom as a reminder of his steadfast love.

And as I thank God for the model He's provided our boys in their dad, I wonder about the kind of cookie they'll be baking for their wives someday....