Dear Rhema and Haddon,

Mommy and Daddy long for you with all of our hearts. We cannot wait to hear your giggles and your high-pitched squeals echoing through the hallways of our home. Will you have white-blonde bouncy curls, or will dark, straight locks crown your precious heads? You’re both doomed to have brown eyes either way.

As of today, Mommy and Daddy have been married for 4 years, 6 months, 3 weeks, and 2 days. That’s a total of 1,666 days. Earlier this week, on the National Day of Prayer, Mommy met with a doctor who told her that she could not get pregnant with you without the help of other people. We are praying about how to navigate that news. We know that God will direct our steps, and you will come to us according to His plan and in His timing. But, oh, we cannot wait.

You have been a dream in our hearts since we were children. We have prayed and cried and pleaded with God to give you to us. Every breath you take will be an answer to our prayers. We will see God’s grace in your tiny faces, His mercy reflected in your eyes. The blood of Jesus will flow through your veins, for without His healing, you would not happen. You will be true miracles come to life.

Scripture tells us that before God formed you in my womb, He knew you. So that means when Mommy was in elementary school, drawing pictures of her future children, He already knew You. Before Mommy and Daddy met, God knew you both. You see, God never misses a detail. He knows the number of hairs on your beautiful heads, He knows your perfect ten fingers and ten toes, He is acquainted with each individual cell that makes you who you are. He hasn’t knit you together just yet, but hopefully He will pick up the yarn and needles very soon.

Haddon, your Daddy is the manliest man you will ever know. His is strong, brave, kind, safe, loving, and intelligent. He is a protector. He will keep guard over you and your sister every moment of your lives. His deep voice will be music to your ears. You will play with his glasses, pull on his beard and mustache, and rest in his strong arms. He will poke his finger in your mouth every time you yawn. He really can’t help it. He will also give you lots of back scratchies when you whine, just in case your back is itchy.

Rhema, your Mommy is the tenderest heart you will ever know. She is patient, caring, optimistic, and joyful. She will sing over you and your brother every day of your lives. Her laughter and tears will be your constant companions as she celebrates and mourns alongside you both. She will always be around for cuddles, soft touches, and tickles. She will want to record every second of your life, but will also want to be 100% present in each moment, so give her grace as she learns to balance documenting life with you and living life with you.

We want to show you both everything this side of heaven has to offer. As God has poured His love on us, we want to pour our love into you two. We want you to know the Spirit of the living God as the closest friend, Jesus as your personal and intimate Savior, and heavenly Father as your safe place and home. May scripture to be your compass, your foundation of truth, your lens through which you view the world. We pray you will navigate this world by the Spirit.

We cannot wait to provide for all your needs. Daddy will cook lots of nommies for you. Mommy will keep your sippy cups filled. You will sit in Daddy’s lap as he plays video games, and you will dig in the dirt with Mommy as she tends to our little garden. Our doggies are going to love you and be so protective over their little angels! Sirius will be obsessed over you both, I just know it. I’m not sure yet if Rocky will be around to meet you, though, because he is already outrageously old. We will tell you all about him if he’s not around anymore when you get here.

Although we will go through life in this fallen and sinful world, Mommy and Daddy will do our best to keep you safe and pure and childlike in your faith. We will make mistakes, but we will apologize and try to learn and grow. We know that since God will give you to us, He will also be the One taking care of you. He is a good Shepherd.

We are curious… Will you be introverts or extroverts? Will you prefer to snuggle and watch movies together or will you want to wrestle on the living room floor? We will have to get a rug for these potential wrestling matches. Will either of you be musically inclined? What giftings will Holy Spirit give you? What deep purpose will God instill in you both? I know you will both be the hands and feet of Jesus everywhere we go.

Haddon, I see that you will be so tender and so inclined to speak to strangers everywhere we go, from the aisles of the grocery store to the playgrounds and parks. You will see people who feel like they are on the outskirts of life, and you will invite them in. You will include everyone, and make the overlooked feel seen. That gift is the heart of the Father.

Rhema, you will carry bubbly joy into every room. You will feel strong feelings and be so open and transparent. Your transparency will invite others in, and the authentic way you share the gospel will lead to many salvations. The light of Christ within you will radiate from your beaming smile and dancing eyes.

You both are greater gifts that I could have ever asked for, thought, or imagined. Truly.

You’re both probably wondering where your names come from. I would love you tell you, and tell you again, and tell you again and again all throughout your lives.

You are both so precious to us.

Rhema Faye, your first name references the living word of God. Faye is the middle name of two of your great-grandmothers, Gram and Grandma. They are going to love you to pieces.

Haddon Lewis, you are named after two of Mommy and Daddy’s favorite theologians, Charles Haddon Spurgeon and C.S. Lewis. We hope you learn more about both of these wise men as you grow and increase in knowledge and wisdom.

Your grandparents are going to adore you. I really hope you make it here in time to meet them.

Mommy and Daddy love you both very, very much. Our hearts are so full knowing we will someday finally have you, the fulfillment of years of prayer, prophecy, waiting, and trusting. You two are the greatest blessings and gifts from God we could ever receive.

It’s surreal that we will get to spend eternity together as a family.

Jesus is so great.

We love you. We will cover your with hugs and kisses when we finally get to read this letter to you.

Love, Mommy and Daddy