Happy Father’s Day

I’m going to keep this Father’s Day post short and to the point. It’s not because there are fewer men in my life who have proven to be wonderful fathers. It’s because most of the men I know prefer the direct approach. So that’s what I’ll do.

Of course I have to start with my father (which he loves to be called), Steve. My dad is someone whose love I have never questioned. He may have moved away when I was young, but he never left my heart. He taught me how to climb trees, how to hit a ball, how to catch a ball—first with my nose and then with my mitt.

He’s the kind of dad that let his daughter paint his nails and face with kid nail polish. Yet he’s also the dad that didn’t let that same daughter paint her toenails with real nail polish (although the things he let my younger sisters get away with…) He’s set in his beliefs and doesn’t budge, even when his girls tease him ruthlessly. He’s the reason I don’t quit. Things might get difficult, but quitting is not an option.

He’s supportive and encouraging and makes sure I know he’s there if I need him.

Next is my father-in-law, Jack. He now celebrates this day and every other day with the Lord, and he is missed by those he left behind. He was a wonderful man who always made me feel comfortable, even under the embarrassing circumstances surrounding my first time meeting him (and no, I will not share the story). He loved giving gifts. He was a fighter and lived every day he was given. The only thing he was better at than being a father was being a Papaw.

I know that Jack is still with us. Watching over his family and making sure we don’t take life to seriously.

Finally is my husband, Jason. I love watching him be a father to our daughter. When I married him I never imagined I could love him more. But the day he became a father, I realized that I did. There is something so wonderful about a man who is willing to play Barbies/princesses/dolls with his little girl. Of course our daughter says he’s not very good at it, but she keeps asking him to play anyway—and he does. He lets her play beauty shop with his hair. He teaches her about sports and math and politics. He teaches her chess and other games so she can win while playing Mommy. He lets her help build things. He gives her the freedom to be who she wants to be and encourages her in everything she does. He doesn’t give her everything she wants. While she might argue that this is not good, I think it’s one of the most important things he can do for her.

But most of all, he’s showing our little girl what makes a good husband and father. Some day she’s going to be out in the world on her own, and I can feel better knowing she’s had a wonderful example of how it’s supposed to be.

To all the wonderful fathers out there—thanks for all you do.

Happy Father’s Day!