It was a watershed moment…a big day in his life.

Reagan Inaugural Family Photo 1981
Michael standing third from left, holding his son Cameron

1971 – Michael Reagan was about to be married. His dad wanted to share important advice.

A brilliant man, Ronald Reagan imparted much to his children, but perhaps most touching were his lessons in love. It was a subject this famous father knew well; his legendary marriage to Nancy spanned half a century.  

Together, “Ronnie” and Nancy survived grave illnesses, an attempt on the President’s life and the most scrutinized job in the world. Little things kept them close; they walked hand in hand — always — and often penned love letters to one another. They “never stopped courting,” remarked a close observer.

Nancy wasn’t the only one to receive one of Ronnie’s notes from the heart. We’ve found a letter most have not seen. It’s a poignant message from father to son. In the days before Michael’s wedding, the future President picked up his pen, this time to share some fatherly lessons in marriage and love.

“You’ve heard all the jokes that have been rousted around by all the ‘unhappy marrieds’ and cynics. Now, in case no one has suggested it, there is another viewpoint. You have entered into the most meaningful relationship there is in all human life. It can be whatever you decide to make it.

…Sure, there will be moments when you will see someone or think back to an earlier time and you will be challenged to see if you can still make the grade, but let me tell you how really great is the challenge of proving your masculinity and charm with one woman for the rest of your life. Any man can find a twerp here and there who will go along with cheating, and it doesn’t take all that much manhood.

It does take quite a man to remain attractive and to be loved by a woman who has heard him snore, seen him unshaven, tended him while he was sick and washed his dirty underwear. Do that and keep her still feeling a warm glow and you will know some very beautiful music.

…There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.”

There are two bits of wisdom here:

A dad’s insight on marriage is one: “…the challenge of proving your masculinity and charm with one woman for the rest of your life.”

The other? Write to your kids. It takes time, but it’s one of the most powerful things a dad can do. It’s also your legacy. When the memory of your spoken words subside, it’s how you will be remembered for the rest of their lives.

Your Savvy Today?
The P.S. in Ronnie’s letter, “You’ll never get in trouble if you say ‘I love you’ at least once a day.”
Written words are a legacy of wisdom and love.