Last night, I watched as my husband taught our 10-year-old to tie his first real tie.

Admittedly, we are usually a very casual family, so this is actually C.’s first tie whatsoever. We never bought him a miniature suit when he was a preschooler; no clip-on ties have entered this house. Basically, there are a whole lot of jeans & t-shirts — and polos for when we “dress up.”

But C.’s class is going on a special field trip this week and he specifically requested a tie. I was glad to oblige, and the red herringbone accessory arrived today.

C. was excited. Though he’s mostly happy to join us in our casualness, he’s also glad to have a few options for dressier occasions.  Within minutes, he asked Chad if he would teach him how, exactly, one ties a tie.

Chad set to work, giving C. step-by-step instructions, modeling the steps, helping C. try it out himself, and offering appropriate tips and hands-on assistance as needed.

Though I didn’t jump up to grab the camera, I did take a moment to impress the occasion on my mind and heart. It was somewhat of a rite of passage: C. learning to tie his first tie; Chad guiding him.  I admit, there was a bit of Mommy Mushiness going on.

Of course, though this particular lesson was fairly structured and “official,” it’s only one of many lessons Chad teaches our boys.

There’s the practical, physical-type things, like how to ride a bike, how to throw a ball, how to swing a bat. But more important are the life lessons taught simply through every day life.

Our boys are learning how to treat a wife. Chad is wonderful about thanking me for dinner and letting me know how delicious it is (even when the meat’s a little dry or the rice is a little wet). He opens doors for me, helps out around the house, loves me unconditionally, spoils me way too much appropriately.

Our boys are learning what it means to work hard. I am blessed to have a husband with a strong and consistent work ethic. He shows the kids every day what it means to provide for a family, to be disciplined about responsibility, and to work as for the Lord, not just for men.

Our boys are learning a love of reading. Like me, Chad is a reader, and I don’t think there’s any better way to pass on a love of reading to our kids than by reading to them, reading with them, and letting them catch us reading on our own.

Our boys are learning how to follow God. If either of our kids were to sneak downstairs between about 5:30 and 6:30 in the morning, they’d find Chad reading the Bible and spending time in prayer. He teaches C.’s Sunday School class and places a priority on attending church as a family. But most importantly, he lives out Biblical principles and godly attitudes each and every day.

I could go on and on, but I’ll stop here.

And I’ll just say: Thank you, Chad, for all the lessons you teach our boys. You’re the best!