It takes a great man to raise an even better one.

But, how does he get great to start?

I'll tell you.

He starts as a young boy who is loved deeply by his mother.

You add in an older brother who will forever be in his corner.

Then you bring in friends -- lots and lots of good-for-the-soul friends.

He then has experiences, so many, of both the good and bad kind from which he picks up a plethora of lessons.

I'll emphasize that.

Tons.

And tons.

Of lessons.

He goes to school.

He goes to work.

He holds many jobs and eventually has a career.

He's responsible and works hard.

At some point on his journey, he meets a woman.

Maybe she mimics his mother in some ways or perhaps not, but her love for him it's just as deep and impactful.

They start as a young couple who love each other intensely.

You add in family and friends who will forever be in their corner.

Then you bring in kids -- one, two, or three plus good-for-the-soul children.

Together, as a couple and as a family, they all have experiences, so many, of both the good and bad kind from which they pick up a plethora of lessons.

I'll emphasize that.

Tons.

And tons.

Of lessons.

The children go to school.

He goes to work.

His wife works as well, maybe only in the home, maybe outside of it, or perhaps from it.

He and his wife are both responsible and work hard.

At some point on this journey, one of their children, a son, grows into the greatest of men.

But how does this happen?

It takes great man to raise an even better one and to set this domino-effect in motion, there is a young boy who is loved deeply by his mother, who turns into great man, great father and great husband who loves his wife so well and hard that she has the energy, ability, confidence, and support to love a young boy in the way he needs to be loved.

It takes a great man to raise an even better one, but it takes a great mother to raise a great man.

To my mother-in-law and my husband,

thank you.