I will never forget the day I met my daughter face to face. I had loved her long before then. I had prayed for her and over her since I’d learned of her coming. I had heard her heartbeat, watched her movement and growth through ultrasounds, and felt her kicks. We had already enjoyed conversations (though one-sided). But on the afternoon of her birth, finally having the opportunity to hold her and look into her eyes is a moment I will never forget.

I thank God for the privilege and joy of being a parent. The relationships between parents and children are special. Whether the relationship begins biologically or by love, the parent-child relationship and the family are to be honored and celebrated. While people of various faiths in the U.S. and around the world recognize the importance and significance of parent-child relationships, as Christians, those relationships have added significance. In giving His commandments to Moses and Israel in the 20th chapter of Exodus, God calls out the parent-child relationship specifically:

Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12)

I thank God for the opportunities I have had over the last few years to meet and build relationships with so many Highlander parents. Some parents, I meet during the admissions process, and our relationships continue as their children matriculate to Houghton. I have been privileged to meet many parents in the evenings and on weekends as we support their children’s co-curricular experiences in art, music, drama and athletics. In some instances, our relationships begin away from Houghton—through the church, parachurch organizations or various Christian education channels. And I know my experience is like that of so many Houghton staff and faculty members who treasure the gifts, talents, love and support that Houghton parents share not only with their own children but with our Houghton community.

I thank God for the parents, grandparents and families who contribute so much to the Houghton community, sometimes through their physical presence on campus; sometimes through their gifts and service; and so often through their prayers, support and encouragement.

Even in higher education, parents and families matter tremendously. We thank God for our parents and families, we honor the place that God has given them in the lives of our students, and we thank God for the privilege of serving our students and their families.