To the Father of my Children

To the Father of my children on Father’s Day,

I know you don’t like a big fuss made about you, and gah, that’s what I love about you, but you are worthy of the biggest fuss.

You see, today is Father’s Day, and just your attitude about this day speaks volumes about you as a father and your character in general.

You didn’t ask for a fancy meal today or a grandiose gift or time away with the kids; you simply just want to hang out with your family, and do the things we do on Sundays. You just want to be with us, doing our “us things.”

I don’t even know where to begin to praise you as a father. Just seeing how our children light up when you walk in a room says enough, but there’s so much more.

There’s how you help me get them ready in the morning before your hour long commute to your demanding job, and how you come home and dive right into the trenches, sometimes until 10 pm at night, AND you never complain!

You never ever complain.

Dammit, I hate that about you.

And if the house is a mess, and the kids are being insane, and there’s no dinner, and I feel like a shitty mom, you simply say, “It’s no big deal, we’ll figure it out,” and we order dinner and you start folding laundry. Not once have you judged me or brought up my shortcomings.

NOT ONCE.

You will do anything and everything for these children.

You are always present and show up, no matter how big or small the task. You coach soccer, you practice ball in the back yard, and you try to make every school function that you can.

And if you can’t be there you let them know why. You communicate, and always make them feel loved, and that is huge.

Dad is not a part time job with you. The kids don’t see mom as the caretaker and dad as the breadwinner in our home, they see us as partners. We are 50/50 all the way and the kids can feel that. You don’t even mean to, but you are showing them a daily example of what a marriage and partnership looks like.

And you put up with my sh*t. I put a little star there because you hate when I cuss, which brings up another point: You always set an example to our kids of what a man of the Lord should be. You get us to church, you encourage fellowship, and you pray with us. And you don’t judge anyone. You put up with all my flaws and love me for me, and you always give people the benefit of the doubt. When I’m on a tirade about someone who I felt had wronged me you always try to keep things kind and remind me that no one is perfect.

Damn you…. again.

I could go on and on but I’ll cut this short.

I had no idea what kind of father you would be when we got married, but you have surpassed any image that I had built in my head. Our children and I hit the jackpot when it comes to a father and partner.

You are something special, Aaron.

So thank you, for being you, today, and everyday.

Happy Father’s Day!