Marc Hoover
Last Saturday, I attended my son Tim’s wedding. He married his sweetheart Erin. Watching him vow to honor her brought back memories. When I got married in 1997, Tim was my best man. And now nearly twenty years later, I stood with him at his wedding. Tim chose his brother, my youngest son, to be his best man.

So what led Tim to the altar? It seemed like yesterday when I registered him for kindergarten. Before kindergarten, I can remember taking him to the doctor for his vaccinations. It’s been a journey. From sitting in a waiting room with him after he got hurt playing football to watching him graduate from Williamsburg and then the Air Force.

My mother used to say that she sometimes missed the days when I was a baby. I used to laugh at her for that comment. However, our children really grow up fast. As parents, most of us want them to find better opportunities and happiness. So when they have happiness, it makes us feel wonderful as parents.

We raise our children to be strong and self-dependent because we won’t live forever. After we are gone, we can only hope that they listened to our lessons. This way they can encourage their own children to eat their broccoli and to figure out why we need algebra. Our children are our legacy. From drinking bottles to promising to honor, love and cherish their spouse. We have seen it all.

Eventually, our children will experience the same difficulties known only to their parents. As a parent, I can only hope the life lessons we bestowed on our son will make him a great father, husband and friend.

Marc is a grandfather and longtime Clermont County resident. Visit his author page at www.lifewithgrandpa.com and blog at www.wisegrandpa.com.