Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day.

 

Seriously, by the time I got to the place tonight that I could actually type this - I'm so exhausted I'm not sure I have the energy to actually type it.

 

Sometimes, Blogger is just smarter than me and I can't get it to work the way I want it to.

And nothing bothers me more than when technology is smarter than me!

 

But still - What would Father's Day be without my yearly dedication to the men that we loved first.  That we love most.  That we promise to love for life.

 

I know some pretty amazing Dads.  But by far - this guy is the best!

My father.

We've always had a special, unique relationship. 

I have the utmost respect for him.  I can tell him anything.

We can joke around - and we know when to be serious.  If I don't have his support in what I am doing, then I know it isn't the right thing to do.  And he doesn't understand everything I do, but he listens and trusts me. 

He's helped me through things that a dad shouldn't have to help a daughter through. 

He's walked me down two aisles - and he has done two first dances with me. 

He's the man that wasn't so sure he wanted to be a dad - but he is.  And he's fantastic at it. 

If I learned anything from this man it's that it all works out in the end.  Maybe not exactly the way we wanted it - but the way it was meant to be.

I love you, dad.  And we need to take more pictures together!

 

Oh and this guy. 

This guy that one day was a bachelor. 

Doing what he wanted.  When he wanted.

And he heard about these two little ladies.

And he fell in love. 

I'm not sure who he fell in love with first!

I mean - I THINK he feel in love with me and knew I was a package deal...and then fell in love with Eleanor. 

But part of me thinks that he fell in love with Eleanor and realized SHE was a  package deal and in order to get her, he'd have to take me.

Whatever the case - he's a father.  And he's an amazing father. 

He's proof that you don't become a dad when you have a kid.  You become a dad when you LOVE a kid.  He's had sleepless nights worrying about her fever.  Calming her cough.  He's laughed at her jokes.  He lost his patience.  He's taken a time-out.  He's gone through the motions, not knowing what he's doing, but doing what's in his heart and knowing that's all that matters. 

I love the way you love Eleanor and I just can't WAIT to watch you love an infant.  The minute you hold your child in your arms for the first time, it will change the way you look at Eleanor forever.  Because then you'll know what it's like to watch your breath and your heart walk around on the outside of your body.  And just when you didn't think you could love more than you do already...you manage to love them BOTH a little more. 

 

 

And the man that started it all - I can't miss out on wishing Nicolas a Happy Father's Day.  Fathering your baby girl from heaven has got to be a challenge.  I know she gives you a run for your money.  But thank you.  Thank you for giving her a foundation of love.  She's you.  I see it in her eyes, her smile and her heart.  Her huge heart.  You only got to be her dad for a short time, but you'll be her dad forever.  Never forget that - because we'll never forget it.  And you gave her a beginning that is structuring who she is today.  A foundation of love and security.  I don't love that on Father's Day we blow kisses toward heaven...but I love that you gave me her.  She is your legacy and how much people love her is a testament of you.  Happy Father's Day, Nicolas. 

 

And what about the other men?

My father-in-laws.   Such amazing, amazing men to have in my life. 

You've molded two incredible men.  Men that have been and will be the world to me.  To me.

To Eleanor.

And to Baby Bach.

 

My brother-in-laws.  Especially Jason - who gave me my first nephew.  And then the "hundreds" of nephews that followed...and the two special nieces.  And how they fathered Eleanor when Eleanor needed a father. 

 

And the friends!  The friends that have grown into amazing dads.  The uncles, the grandpas, the cousins.

 

Dad.  An awesome, amazing, exhausting job. 

Dads are just some of the most special people in the world.  

So to the dads here with us.  And to the dads looking down on us.  To the men that want to be dads and are just waiting for their shining star - they will come. 

Happy Father's Day.