Have you ever experienced a moment in your life when you really understood something? I mean, a life-changing instant when you really comprehended something, not just in the head but in your heart? It was almost nine years ago when I came to a realization, a revelation of this kind.
I have grown up in church teaching kids aged 7 to 8, about the same age as our son now, it was my first ministry actually. One could say that I am okay with kids but I’ve never felt anything as close to loving and being fond of a kid as when I became a father. It actually was a revelation of how much God the Father loves His children, when I experienced and deeply understood what it was like being a parent.
Me and my wife with our newly born son, almost nine years ago
But I am absolutely sure that what I have felt then as a father was nothing compared to what my wife Jennie, felt when she became a mother. That revelation was given to her way before our son was born. Probably during the moment she found out she was pregnant with our son, and more when she started feeling our child inside her, and most especially when she gave birth to him.
I was there when that happened. It was a privilege to be with my wife during labor. To see her enduring and being strong through the labor pains was enough to awaken me of the many times I have felt as the one with the more important role as a provider. But seeing a mother in labor is nothing compared to being one – the one who gave birth, Jennie was that. For that alone, mothers like her deserve great honor every Mother’s Day.
Jennie giving Jed his first haircut
Add the fact that she was there for many firsts in our son’s life. Jed’s first haircut was given by my wife. She taught our son to read, being the homeschooling mom that she is.
So my son and I prepared an advance Mother’s Day surprise for Jennie. A special dinner treat – a way of giving back (which I know can never be enough to equal the things she has done for us) for the many times she has prepared breakfast, dinner and lunch for the whole family – moments that she has used as opportunities to teach me and our son some lessons in the kitchen. And for the many other sacrifices she has made for me and my son.
The table is set for the candle-light dinner
A pink paper rose inside Jed’s plastic pen holder which I covered with white paper
Here is the menu I prepared for the special dinner:
Celery sticks with dip
French Onion Soup
My wife taught me how to make a French Onion soup during one of our bonding moments in our kitchen.
Mango Vinaigrette
Pan-seared Sea Bass
Grilled Aussie Fresh Tenderloin (Cooked using the Electrolux Microwave EMM2017x with grilling function)
My wife and I learned to cook those two sumptuous dishes together in a cooking class for couples, another great kitchen bonding moment.
Sliced Ripe Mangoes
Please take time to watch the video and see the best mother in the world honored by her husband and son by preparing a surprise 6-course dinner at home.
The appetizer is ready
Fine dining at home with my wife
Our son – waiter and musician for the evening
Jennie, for nurturing our son for nine months and giving birth, caring, nursing, making our home for our son, for being one with me in deciding to home school him, for the many chores you do at home, and teaching our son those chores; for the many sacrifices you have made, from the depths of my heart, I thank and honor you, the super and wonderful mom of my son. I love you sooooooo much! You are a great mother because you are great wife first.
“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her.”Proverbs 31:10, 25-28
If you found the background song in the last part of the video above touching, here is my “serenade” video for my wife. The song was composed and sang by Steven Curtis Chapman and I couldn’t find a more fitting song for Jennie. I studied and learned the whole song so I could sing it for her.
One Little Heartbeat at a Time
by Steven Curtis Chapman
Verse 1:
You’re up all night with a screaming baby
You run all day at the speed of life
And every day you feel a little bit less
Like the beautiful woman you are
Verse 2:
So you fall into bed when you run out of hours
And you wonder if anything worth doing got done
Oh, maybe you just don’t know
Or maybe you’ve forgotten
Chorus:
You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now, but I
Believe that time will tell how you,
You are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Verse 3:
With every “I know you can do it”
Every tear that you kiss away
So many little things that seem to go unnoticed
They’re just like the drops of rain over time
They become a river
Chorus:
You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now, but I
Believe that time will tell how you,
You are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Bridge:
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful
How you’re changing the world
You’re changing the world
Chorus:
You, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Making history with every touch and every smile
Oh, you, you may not see it now, but I
Believe that time will tell how you,
You are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
Yes, you are changing the world
One little heartbeat at a time
You too can share your surprise for your mom/wife and get a chance to win an Electrolux kitchen showcase just for her! Join the “Your Moments with Mommy Facebook photo contest. Here’s how:
1. Like The Electrolux Little White Book in Facebook and look for the Your Moments with Mommy tab on the page (https://www.facebook.com/thelittlewhitebook/app_262794450560161).
2. Upload a photo of a delightful moment you had with her.
3. Tell about it in 150 characters or less.
4. Choose a kitchen package you want to surprise her with.
5. Fill out the entry form with your personal information.
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #DelightfulE and tag @ElectroluxPH.
