Father's Day

Father's Day. What a bitter sweet holiday.

You all know and love the amazing man I married. Equally you all know and love the amazing man who raised me. Mom and dad always told stories about me when I was born. How excited he was and so much in love with me that he crawled in my crib. Then I see the pictures of Jeff when Amber was born. He brought Amber and his wife home from the hospital in a limo. His eyes expressed how much in love he was with his little girl. When I moved in with Jeff, I found a box in the closet. In the box was the pregnancy test that was taken when they found out they were pregnant with Amber. He even had the receipt from the first OB appointment. I watch him talk about his baby girl and it reminds me so much of the enthusiasm mom and dad had when they talked about my birth and coming home. How I loved those stories. You may remember my dad as a push over. But he wasn't. He certainly wasn't tough like mom but in his own way he got his point across. Sometimes it was a disappointing look that hurt far more than mom's yelling. Other times words were attached. With every reaction of Dad's it was clear that first and foremost he was my father. (Of course when mom was around he just sent me to her to say n0) He had high expectations for us and encouraged us to reach them. He pranced around like a proud peacock when we succeeded and his heart ached watching the messes we jumped into. His heart was always full of love not just for us four, but our cousins and eventually our kids. He wanted to see us all succeed. Dad did not pass up many opportunities to push graduating high school, continuing with education, getting financially set and always keep family first. I am so proud my husband mimics my dad's strength in encouraging education, financial responsibility and keeping family first. Jeff knows how to have a great time with his kids but he is not afraid to say no and set limits. He walks around just as proud with his kids accomplishments and he carries the pain with the struggles they bring upon themselves. Either way his heart is filled with the utmost love for both of his children and to that he generously added my girls to his heart. My dad was an incredible source of strength and stability for my girls. He was dad and grandpa all rolled into one. How generous that Jeff opened up himself to call them "his girls". Two years ago there were many conversations about the man who would pick up the pieces in those girls' life. How confident Dad was when he told us Jeff would be that man. I am thankful for the love that Jeff has brought to our family.

Hopefully this weekend we can add some new pictures of Amber and her dad.