To Donald:

Well .  .  . we are ending our second year as empty nesters. I never liked that term. And I can tell you now with all my heart that there’s been nothing empty about the last few years. They’ve been full of beautiful walks and meaningful talks, nights when we randomly jump into the car and spend an evening with Kelsey and Kyle, little Hudson, and now our newest grandbaby. We play tennis and Ping-Pong and hang out with our wonderful friends. And yes, we miss having our family all together every day. But when they come home the celebrating never ends. What I mean is, I’ve loved raising our kids with you, and now I love this season, too. God has brought us through so many pages in our story. The Baxter family came to life while we were raising our kids. When they told stories around the family dinner table, we were doing the same. And when their kids auditioned for Christian theater, our kids were singing the same songs. Our family is—and always will be—inexorably linked with the Baxter family. So thank you for creating a world where our love and life and family and faith were so beautiful I could do nothing but write about it. So that some far-off day when we’re old and the voices of our many grandchildren fill the house, we can pull out books like this one and remember. Every single beautiful moment. I love you.

To Kyle:

You will always be the young man we prayed for, the one we believed God for when it came to our precious only daughter. You love Kelsey so well, and you are such a great daddy to Hudson and your newest little one. I literally thank God every day for you and for the friendship all of us share. Thank you for bringing us constant joy. We pray and believe that all the world will one day be changed for the better because of your music, your love and your life.

To Kelsey:

What an amazing season this has been, watching as you went from being the best mommy ever for Hudson, and now as you’ve welcomed your second precious baby. Little Hudson is so happy, and I know that Baby Nolan is, too. Your home is full of love and joy, peace and patience and God’s Holy Spirit. Because you and Kyle have intentionally welcomed the Lord into your home. What a beautiful time for all of us! Hudson is strong and kind and joyful, with a depth that tells all of us that some way, somehow, God is going to use him. I can’t wait to see all the ways God pours His gifts into your newest little angel, also. I believe God will continue to use your precious family as a very bright light .  .  . and I know that one day all the world will look to you and Kyle as an example of how to love well. Love you with all my heart, honey.

To Tyler:

I remember that long-ago day when you were a ten-year-old and you said, “Mom, someday I’m going to write music and make movies. But I think I’m also going to write books in my spare time. Like you do!” And now, my talented son, that’s exactly what you’re doing. How amazing is it that we have the privilege of writing together? Already we’ve had one screenplay— Maggie’s Miracle—show up on the Hallmark Channel, and now a series of books about the Baxter children. I always knew God had gifted you with great talent. But I never would’ve imagined the ways God would work it all together. You’re still songwriting, still writing original screenplays and dreaming of making movies. But now you’re writing books in your spare time, too. I love it! God has great things ahead, and as always I am most thankful for this front-row seat. Oh, and for the occasional evening when you stop by for dinner and finish the night playing the piano. You are a very great blessing, Ty. Love you always.

To Sean:

Later this year you will finish your time at Liberty University, earning a degree and growing in your faith and strength as a man. You have listened to God, Sean. You have taken the difficult moments of your earlier years and turned them into strengths, and for that your dad and I are so proud of you! From the first day we held you, we knew your spirit was bright. You love God and people with a passion and joy that defied your first five years. Yet we agreed with you that it was time to take your faith to another level. I am convinced God has amazing plans ahead for you, Son. I love you forever.

To Josh:

You are out on your own, finding your way. What a blessing to know that wherever you go, you take us with you .  .  . and Jesus with you. Always remember that having a relationship with Him is the most important gift you will ever give your family. You belong to Him, Josh. You always have. As you lead your family in the years to come, as you walk out your faith together, walk humbly. And just know how much we love you. We are here for you, always.

To EJ:

What a tremendous time this is for you, EJ. You are doing so well at Liberty University, so excited about the career in filmmaking you have chosen. Isn’t it something how God knew—even all those years ago when you first entered our family—that you would need to be with people who loved God and loved each other .  .  . but also people who loved the power of storytelling. I’m so excited about the future, and the ways God will use your gifts to intersect with the gifts of so many others in our family. Maybe we should start our own studio—making movies that will change the world for God. Whatever the future holds, remember that your most powerful hour of the day is the one you give to Jesus. Stay in His word. Pray always. I love you.

To Austin:

I’m so grateful I can see you when I travel to Liberty University to teach. You are tall and strong and a godly presence on that campus. But not only that. You are a loyal friend with a very deep heart. During breaks we will continue to have many happy times together. But I still miss you in the everydayness, Austin. You have been such a light in our home, our miracle boy. Our overcomer. You are my youngest, and no question the hardest to let go. At times the quiet here is so .  .  . quiet. Even with your dad’s jokes and two little grandchildren in our lives. So .  .  . while you’re at Liberty, on nights when you lie awake in your dorm, just know that we have cherished every moment of raising you. And we are still here. We always will be. Love you forever, Aus.

And to God Almighty,

the Author of Life, who has—for now—blessed me with these.