I have always loved Father-Daughter date nights. It is an extraordinary time for daddies to dress up in their Sunday best and daughters to wear their favorite dress and feel like a princess. What a special time for daddies to demonstrate what their little girls should look for in their future husbands.

As a young mother of twin boys, I recognized father-daughter evenings were not going to be an option, so I set out to cultivate special times with my sons, Aaron and Jordan, planning weekly date nights with them (normally when my husband was away for his weekly men’s Bible study). Our evenings together were focused on manners, how to treat a young lady (and I would try my best to model that), and various conversation-starters to discuss at the dinner table. We would pick an evening just to talk about dreams and goals, but manners were always emphasized. Each week we would take turns picking the location where we would spend our date. Much to my dismay, most of those evenings were spent at IHOP, which included an endless amount pancakes. Our times were rich in both syrup and fun—just mom and her boys talking about the importance of manners and why . . . why it’s important to open a car door, or any door, for a lady . . . the importance of pulling out a chair at a restaurant, even IHOP. As we discussed manners, and their importance, Aaron and Jordan would compete and race to see who would be first to open the door for Mom, and any benefactor who was entering or leaving.

When finances were tight, which was more than often, we would decide on our favorite ice cream or treat, instead of a restaurant. Yet the motivation was the same: to have each other’s undivided attention and for Mom to use the time to talk about the importance of manners. As the boys have grown and are ready to go out on their own, we still make time to date. It’s not as frequent as I’d like it to be because of their responsibilities, yet I’m blessed to see that the topics we discussed so many times have remained important: to treat a woman as a precious vessel, to protect and care for her. They still compete to be the first to open the door for me.

Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to "train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

The word train means to stimulate, to guide, encourage, and to discipline to do good. God promises that if we train up, guide, and encourage doing good, the results will be long lasting! It is never too late to start either. A Chinese proverb states: "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago; the second best time is now. " Thank God for His grace, and opportunities to train up!

Dan and I have encouraged our sons, and by God’s grace modeled the virtues that are important to Him. As parents, we have made every effort to display the importance of taking Scripture seriously and presently, and as we enter this new season, we are doing it again.

We are quickly approaching the season when our children pack up their necessities (in our case, surfboards, guitars, and computers) and step out in the paths where God has directed them. Once again, they are moving towards the door quickly!

Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it . . .

We are trusting God and trusting these two young men and the work that He has done in their lives; only this time, I’m not insisting they open the door as they quickly rush towards it. Instead, my Heavenly Father is encouraging me to trust in the work that He has done, to anticipate the work that He will do, and to open the door for them. It’s my turn to open the door.

Oh, how I look forward to future date nights (even if they are at IHOP). I know the topics of discussion will change but, in the meantime, Lord I trust Your plan for their lives, just as I trust You with this new chapter in mine.