“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.”
Dad, how can I begin to capture the countless reasons I am thankful for you in one post?! June is a month where we get a little extra time to celebrate you on your birthday and Father's Day. Of course, those two special days also happen to fall on a weekend I work, so I won't be there today to give you a huge hug in person. It makes me so sad, but I do want you to know that I love you so very much! Here are just a few of the reasons I am thankful for you today and everyday...
"A father teaches his daughter how to love and be loved."
Dads have such a special relationship with their daughters. They are the first man they will ever be loved by, and they set the standard for how their daughters want to be loved. Dad, you've set the standards high for me! You are gentle, tender, thoughtful, and exceedingly patient. You listen to what I am interested in, genuinely investing in each and every area of my life. You lead by example in your relationship with Mom, showing me what it looks like to be a godly, faithful husband. You never fail to find ways to express your love for your girls, whether it be with a thoughtful card or email, a bouquet of flowers, or just a gentle hug after a long day.
"A father doesn't tell you that he loves you. He shows you."
Dad, you show me what it is like to love unconditionally. You always have open arms and a shoulder to cry on when my heart is hurting. You have had a listening ear and thoughtful advice as I've transitioned into "adulting" and living on my own. I've never had a problem that I've felt is too small for you to care about. Granted, when I was younger, my worries were a lot simpler than they are now! A cut lip, a snapped toy or a particularly pesky math question was far more easily fixed than a wrecked car, an overwhelming work load or a shattered heart. Yet even if you can't always provide an instant solution to the problems I face, I have complete confidence that you will always be right by my side. You stand by me and give me every bit of encouragement I need to face whatever comes my way. No matter how big of a mess I have made of things, you continue to love me through it all. That kind of love cannot be broken, and it gives me strength when I run out of my own.
To the world you are a dad. To our family you are the world."
You are so many things to our family. How many people get a Dad who is also their provider, protector, professor, mechanic, electrician, the list goes on and on! You always put our family first, even if it means little or no sleep and working into all hours of the night. No matter what stage of life your children are in (or how difficult we have been to love)! you never fail to unconditionally support and guide us. Taking care of a family of eleven is no easy task, but you serve us without expectation and always love us no matter what!
“A father carries pictures where his money used to be.” -Steve Martin
I can't think of any man who has sacrificed more for his family than you have. You work hard and give it all to us! Yes, you do have a twelve passenger van with some bike and scooter scratches along the side (Sorry, Dad...) Yet you patiently touch up the scratches and drive us all around as proudly as if you drove the flashiest car in town. You wordlessly patch up dinged door frames and chipped paint, never complaining. As an engineer, you keep things meticulously neat and organized, but you happily make an exception when it comes to covering your office with sketches and portraits done by your kids. You treasure our childish artwork far more than any artistic masterpiece. It goes to show how preciously aligned your priorities are. You know what is most important in life and don't stress over the little things.
"Any man can be a Father it takes someone special to be a Dad."
Dad, no matter what role you are filling in any given moment, you never stop being a Dad. When I was a little girl you were there when I asked you to reenact the Nutcracker in our living room. You patiently spun me around and made me feel like a princess, laughing right along with me. When I took calculus in high school, you had the patience of a saint as I baffled and cried over differentials and logarithms. You loved math just as much as I hated it, but you never gave up on me! When the time came for me to move to college out of state, you carried all of my things up six flights of stairs when the elevator broke on move-in day. You never once complained and stayed with me until every wall hanging was up and piece of furniture in its proper place! When I walked the stage on graduation day, you were right there in the front of the crowd, beaming as proudly as I was. I wouldn't be who I am without you, Dad. You've guided and supported me physically, emotionally, and spiritually through every stage of my life.
"Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well-lived." --Eleanor Roosevelt
Dad, you've shown all of us what it looks like to create happiness. You do it every day! Your smile and laughter are contagious and cheer us up even when we don't feel like laughing. It doesn't matter how hard life gets or how badly we want to give up: you always know how to find the positive in every situation. You are the happiest man I know, and I cannot think of anyone who could possibly deserve it more!
"A son is a son till he gets a wife; a daughter is a daughter for the rest of her life." --Irish Proverb
Dad, no matter what I will forever be your little girl. You were the first man to love and protect my heart, and I will never outgrow the need for my dad. I don't care how far I go or how old I grow, I'm never going to stop coming to you for advice, support, laughter, encouragement, and a love that never stops. You have always been there for me, and I hope you know I will always be here for you. I love you with all of my heart, Dad. Happy, happy Father's Day, and happy 50th Birthday!!
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