Our Hero

I always knew you would be a good father. I remember this one night - we were in college I believe - and you had dropped me off at my parent's house and called me just a little while after you got home. Do you remember the days when we would stay up all night talking? Your parents had been upset with you when you got home (I have no recollection of what it was about - me, probably:)) and you were MAD. You were swearing (we did a lot more of that back then) and yelling (well, in a whisper but you know what I mean) and your dog came out and started barking at you. You did not want your parents to know we were on the phone so you rushed to quiet her.

She continued to bark but instead of getting angry and scolding her you knew she was upset because you were upset. You sat down with her and pet her. You calmed down and so did she. I told you then that you would be a good dad (In that I know everything because after all I am 20, kind of way).

But I did know. You are a great dad. In truth you are my hero! You help me give our kids the life I always wanted. I always wanted to have a family like the one we have. I wanted a family where mom, dad and kids all live together. I wanted to be at home with my kids. I wanted a house with a backyard and fence. And I got all that and more. And this life would not and could not work without you.

You are their hero too! You come home to a chorus of, "Daddy" and "DAAAAAAA" because they are so excited to see you. You may not get to do all of the fun stuff that we do everyday (ya know like go to the grocery store, hang the laundry on the clothesline or even clean the bathrooms) but you are there when it counts. You are there for extra hugs and kisses before bed. You are there to wrestle, to play trains, to sing and dance, to read book (after book after book) and much more. You are here to decide what to do and how to do it.

You supported the decision to breastfeed from the beginning. Well, in truth you did not even consider it a decision - it was what was healthiest for the baby and for me, of course we were going to do it. You have never once complained or balked at the idea of changing a diaper, even when I switched us to cloth. You (twice now) told your mother about the babywearing devices I wanted because they make my life easier and because they are better for our babies. Now I know you are reading these things and thinking they are nothing but apparently many women are met with opposition over these things. But not you, you always want what is best for the kids and the family.

When Big Brother, Big Sister and I were buying Father's Day cards the other day I saw a card that said

Dad, now that I am grown I want to thank you because I know how special a gift it that you gave by raising me in such a loving home.

I almost bought it because one day it will be the perfect gift from the kids. I only hope that Big Brother grows up to be as great of a dad as you are. That the girls (how cool is it that I can say that now - we have TWO girls) grow up and marry men that are as wonderful to them and their children as you are to me and our children. I hope that as they grow and learn they see how amazing you are (well, accept when they are required to think we are total dorks and be embarrased just because we exist). I hope that they know how lucky they are.... ya know what no I don't. The only way for them to truly know how lucky they are is to not be so lucky and I want them to always be oblivious. I hope they take for granted how amazing of a dad you are until one day when they are grown and they look back and realize what an amazing man their dad is.