Daddy day

Father's Day.

Can you believe it was the third father's day we have celebrated in our house.  I just. simply. cannot.

This year, the boys a I carried on our tradition of making daddy a plate. I enjoy letting Ayden go to town with his own decorations and then putting both hand prints on to memorialize the age. I wish I had a picture.....but I don't. Just take my word for it...it's cute ;)

Our friends Candice and Stacy were kind and awesome enough to include J and I in their father's day planning. So, we all sent the men to the Ritz for a round of golf and lunch. Word is they had a great time. I know J for one was in need of some good boy time.

After that he joined us at home for a home cooked meal. Gavin was his usual chipper chill self, greeting daddy when he got home...


                        

Gavin's shirt says "my daddy rocks"!

Daddy is the backbone of our family. He is the yin to mommy's yang. And he has had a very tough and trying year. He has been working his butt off in school, forcing him to be away from the family every other weekend. He took on a very large competitive proposal at work and diligently brought it over the line for Raytheon, despite 15 tornadoes and no power in Alabama. And probably hardest of all and throughout all of this, he has seen me through the last trimester of pregnancy, birth of a new child, sleep deprivation, keeping up with a 2 year old, support for my training (which led to a PR!) and the emotional roller coaster in between.

I have also noticed since Gavin's birth how close J and Ayden have become. Ayden loves him some daddy time. It is adorable. This bond and attention J has with the kids is a top three reason why I married him. I knew when the time came for kids, he would be a true partner and that was a must for me.

Do we struggle for balance?    We do.
Do we disagree at times?       We do.
But...
Do we put family first?        Always.

J is my husband, my best friend, and the best parenting partner I could ask for. My kids are forever blessed to have Jeremy as their "daddy".

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This father's day also had a tinge of sadness. This was the first father's day without my Grandpere. With tears in my eyes I write this to say how much I miss him; how much I miss his presence; and how much I love him. He was a wise, gentle grandfather with whom I shared some of my happiest childhood memories.

I often think when I look at my Gavin that he has an old man's soul; a peacefulness and tranquility that surmounts any I have seen. And from there I wonder if there isn't a little piece of Grandpere in there.

= = = =

Alas it would not be a father's day without mention of my own father! A man who has taught me so much. A man who I continue to learn from and look to for guidance. A man whose breadth of experience and knowledge seems almost unreal.

My dad and I have always had a special bond. Through thick and thin he holds this very special place in my heart that I think only a father/daughter can understand.

It is tough to be so far from him while my kids grow up before my eyes. I yearn for them to know and experience the kind, gentle, fun dad I grew up with. The coach who, despite many many fights, always pushed me to be better and tougher on the field =)

Though per usual these days, I am a little late, I'd like to wish a  belated HAPPY FATHERS DAY to the special men in my life and to every father out there. Being a parent (whether father or mother) is a gift...cherish it, because your kids cherish you.