The Perfect Man

The portrait of a perfect man: Matt when Jonas was a newborn.

As much advice and wisdom I have, I do my best not to share it all the time. Instead, I keep it to myself unless first asked. Well, sometimes. But recently I had a moment when I had to share a bit of wisdom that could forever change the path of one girl’s life and ultimate choice of a husband.

A few weeks ago, I was talking to our babysitter who is a senior in high school. She was asking about our preparations for the baby. Somehow the conversation went to diapers and how Matt has always handled the late night changes, while I do the feedings. She said, “Wow! He changes diapers.” My response was just about as astonishing. I mean, this kid is half his, so of course he’d do diapers. There is no other option. But then I realized that not everyone is as fortunate as me. Not everyone has a partner who pitches in and helps out, especially in the middle of the night. And so, I had to lend her a bit of advice. I looked her squarely in the eyes and said with all honesty, “When you are dating a guy, find out if he does diapers. If not, forget him. Hollywood romance doesn’t matter. But having a guy who does late-night changings does.”

I know she didn’t ask me for love life advice, but I felt it was a bit of information that had to be shared. And I’m sure some day she will thank me for it.