The Man Only I See
- Lisa Lou
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
A Father’s Day tribute to my husband, Christopher
The Man Only I See
Most people who know my husband, know the businessman. They see the hours he keeps, the thousands of miles he travels and the many media appearances. What they don’t see is the man who walks into our home each evening. I love his business side, the way his mind works, and his successes. But what I love most are the ways he cherishes me, provides for our family and steps in the gap when we need him.
On many occasions, I have walked into a quiet room, unannounced, and found him face down on the floor, praying for people who would never know he prayed for them.
During different seasons of life, I have watched him get by on three hours of sleep, working himself to the bone to build something great that would improve the lives of thousands.
No matter his schedule, though, he has never made me feel like I came second in his life. Although many would say it is almost impossible to get on his calendar, his team knows if a call comes in from me, he will stop what he is doing and answer. Even if he must step out of a meeting to do it.
He calls himself my protector, and he says it with a grin. “Lisa never got herself into something that I could not get her out of.” This has been true on too many occasions for me to count!
He still writes love letters. Flowers show up unexpectedly, for no reason. He gives generously to others when their need is great, yet most never know where the help came from.
He is forever working on himself, trying to be a little better than he was the day before. “If you are not growing, you are dying!” That is one of our many family mottos.
Even when falling into bed exhausted, he will still watch a 30-minute comedy with me while he rubs my aching back, never once complaining. Why? Because he knows physical touch is one of my top Love Languages. So, he loves me the way I need to be loved even when it means he must sacrifice sleep.
When I opened my boutique, he showed up to the Grand Opening with flowers in hand, but what caught me off guard was when he hugged me and cried. “I am so proud of you!” Those were the only words he could choke out.
Although we are empty nesters now, I still remember the father he was in bringing up our son. There were plenty of Sundays I wanted to skip church and stay in bed. I was often tired the way young mothers can be. Christopher never said a word or guilted me into getting up. But that did not stop him from dressing our little boy, and the two of them heading off to church, because he knew the importance of this example in a young child’s heart.
I remember the family meals around our table. I would cook and my husband would clean up, with our son assisting, making sure our little boy learned the act of service.
Even today, with a son who is now a father himself, I see how my husband continues to mentor him. The dynamics change, as they should when a child is now grown, but I love the way they talk business together. How our son seeks advice for his own entrepreneurial endeavors. How they discuss finances and the joys of fatherhood.
I could use this tribute to my husband to write about all the fun things we do together, but the world already sees that side of him. But for this Father’s Day, I want the world to see the quiet things that only I see.
If you have a man like this in your life, write him a letter and tell him you notice. Sometimes those words of encouragement are all he needs to keep him strong.
Christopher, everything good about you comes back to the fact that you love God and put Him first in your life. And because of that, the love you have for Him rains down on me. I am a better person because you, and I thank you for always lifting me higher than yourself. I love you! Happy Father’s Day.
Together with you,
Lisa Lou
