Open Card to My Father on My Engagement

Dad:
I am writing this before I call to tell you the same information - so by the time you read this it will no longer be a surprise. But the point of this card is not so much to inform as to capture the moment, so it can be put on the mantle and eventually into a box for my kids to uncover years down the road. Your point about the impermanence of emails (and phone conversations) is well made.
     Amy and I are engaged. It is absolutely the right decision, and I am glad to have made it. I still have a non-specific feeling of dread, but I figure that's normal - along with a slight sense of disbelief at myself.
    She is intelligent, cute, beautiful, artistic, driven in a way I will never be, and willing to try my odd assortment of hobbies. I can see us with fantastically smart and able children - and I hope I can raise them as well as you have raised me. We share a love of travel as well as the environment - I suspect Mom would have approved.
    This is a decision mulled for months and slowly chosen, and one well made (I hope). And as media and information becomes ever shallower and easy, I think it is increasingly important to slowly note these most important moments in life.
   Thank you for raising me as you did, and for the values you instilled - independence, curiosity, critical thinking. It is hard to state how good our family is when compared against many. I hope that my marriage will be as happy as yours.
   It is worth noting that these cards are from our first date, around two years and three months ago. It seems fitting to write this news in them.
   It is difficult (or I am poor at it) to express how impressive you are, and it is you that got me this far - and hopefully farther. I am, and will always be, your son - wise, intrigued by many things, and overly fond of lame puns. You will already know the major news, but keep this card so someone can stumble on it in the future.

Love,
Alex