Father's Day 2009

I write each month for an awesome local publication. This month I wrote about Father's Day. And, in honor of today, I would like to share my article...

Granted, this is supposed to be a Mom’s corner, and yes, I am aware of that. But, with Father’s Day quickly approaching, I simply could not resist the urge to write about and/or for all of the Dads that might be reading. And, with that, I further could not resist the urge to write about the greatest father I know…my husband!

So, let me fill you in on a little about him...By profession, he is an educator. He loves coaching, but because varsity sports suck a great deal of time, the fact that I was still working full-time and going to grad school, that he worked best with a particular group of students, and because he simply desired more time at home with the family, he has found his heart at the middle school level.

I knew him for years before we dated and married, and I pretty much could not stand him for most of that time. He is my foil, and I simply could not accept that anyone could approach things so differently than I. As I reflect now on why I really fell in love with him, it was not because of his stunning good looks, his charming personality, his witty sense of humor, his passion for life, his sense of adventure, his overwhelming spontaneity, his thought-provoking wisdom, his devout loyalty, or his love for his Lord. (I still did not like him despite all of these positive traits!) Rather, I fell in love with the way that he exemplifies, all of these things as a father.

I thought about telling you all that it is because of my awesomeness as a wife that my husband is such and incredible father, but, I humbly admit that it is because of his awesomeness as a husband that I am really a better mother.

There is an old cliché that behind every successful man there is a supportive wife, and while I cannot particularly disclaim that, I can offer that the opposite is equally true: Behind every successful woman there is a tremendously supportive husband.

Granted, I may not be all that “successful” to some, but I know with certainty that I would never be half the woman – much less mother - I am without him.

Perhaps I should explain...Some say that I have “issues.” I am extremely OCD, tend not to be graceful in stressful situations, etc. Take, for example, this evening…I turned my back while the kids were in the tub, and the 4-year-old fell not once, but twice, acquiring a black eye, a cut forehead and a gigantic knot on the back of his head. I, of course, overreact and fight the overwhelming urge to cry as guilt consumes me. I bellow for help, he walks in calmly, embraces the little one and me, and assures us both that all is really okay.

He also does all sorts of other things for the children and in support of me that make me a better mother, remind me daily why I fell in love with him, and affirm that he is truly an amazing dad… He always has chocolate milk ready for the little ones when they wake up, rarely grinches when he sorts the never-ending piles of socks, volunteers to make midnight trips to the store, and is solely in charge of cooking a gourmet dinner on a budget each evening. He helps the dramatic scheduling of 4 busy children between assisting with baths, studying spelling words, giving the dreaded “talk” to a 10-year-old, and cleaning the dinner dishes. He will always take time out to play a game of catch with the boys or teach them to tie a lure. He loves to read to the kids and delights in playing “babies” with his little girl. He changes diapers without ever being asked. He chuckles when cold, wet bottoms crawl into bed with us, and has often said his favorite thing about weekend mornings are the pile of kids watching cartoons in our bed.

More, he does all of these things with joy… reminding me by example and supporting me with his actions.

There is an old adage: “Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy.” To my husband, a Daddy, and to all of the other incredible men like him, I wish for you the very happiest Father’s Daddy’s Day…We mothers and our/your children love you more than you know!

I would also like to personally wish my incredible Dad (who I really, really wish I could have seen today) and my amazing father-in-law Happy Father's Day. And, I am honoring my grandfathers as well...These men, more than anyone or anything, have taught me what it means to love.

Oh, and please pick up a copy of the magazine!