The Two Best Dads I Know...

On this Father's Day eve as I should be laying down for a good night's sleep, I find myself needing to blog, with tomorrow being Father's day and all.  I want to blog about the two greatest dads I know.  The one who raised me and the one who is raising my kids.

Let me start with my dad.  He was a dream dad.  He was the kind of dad every little girl should have.  I really believe his world revolved around me.  (I guess it might have also revolved around my brother and sister as well; however, being that I'm the youngest by 13 and 15 years, I was practically raised as an "only").  He took me everywhere, talked endlessly about me to everyone (often much to my embarrassment at the time), had endless amounts of patience, and never was harsher than an "Oh Jennifer...sigh" with me.  I'm pretty sure he drove my mom crazy.  As I look back on things as an adult and as a mom, I'd want to wring my husband's neck if he took my kids aside and said things like "just pretend I really laid into you so mom thinks I disciplined you".  Yeah...he did that.  If he could've gotten away with it...I know he would've photocopied sentences for me to save my poor little hands.  (My mom's most successful punishment with me was having me write sentences for my various offenses...often in the hundreds...things like "I will not 'piddle' and make dad late for church" and "I will not tell my dad to 'shut up'.")

He was my biggest fan.  He danced with the dads in dance recitals.  He performed with the pom pon dads in high school.  He sat at every LHS football and basketball game.  He drove busloads of girls wherever we wanted to go.  He always made sure I went to nice places, had nice things, and made me feel like I was the most beautiful girl in the world.  I'd be upset about some boy or feeling sorry for myself, and he always knew what to say...or what not to.  His hugs were the warmest, most all encompassing hugs you could ever imagine.  His voice was the most beautiful tenor you'd ever hear.

My dad died in 2000.  I was 30.  I had a baby girl, and soon after he died, I conceived my son.  A part of my dad's soul lives on in Jake.  He has my dad's hands, his smile, his build, and in a lot of ways, his personality.  Sometimes I hurt for what he didn't get to see and do with my kids.  I hate that they never really knew him, and I wish day after day for one more hug.  But the good thing is that my mom gives us all love enough for the both of them, and I thank God every day that she is still here to share her life with me and my kids.

Now onto the other great dad I know...my husband.  David is such a devoted father.  Though caring for our kids in the middle of the night when they were babies wasn't really his thing, he has more than made up for that over the years.  He read them stories when they were little, he's taken them on lots of special outings over the years, and provides them with so many opportunities.  He's their encourager, their helper, their protector.  He plays video games with Jake, listens to music with Mad, and takes us all on in games on game nights.  He spoils us with dinners out at nice restaurants, vacations to amazing places, and he's the best gift giver in the family.

He coaches their sports teams, cheers from the sidelines, and makes them feel like they can do anything.  He's such a great listener.  I often stand aside and listen as he's asking them about their days.  In my hustle and bustle to get things done, I often miss the chance to sit and really get things out of them.  He's so good at that.  He calls when he's on business trips, makes it home for important events, and tucks his kids in at night.  He shows the importance of faith by taking his kids to church, sponsoring the youth group, and serving others.

He's also a great dad because he's a great husband.  He shows his kids what loyalty and devotion look like.  He loves their mom and he shows it by his words and deeds.  My son will know how to be a good husband by his example.  He'll know that sometimes you have to work at things, but that you do it.  You don't walk out and you don't give up.  My daughter will know what to look for in a man.  She'll know that she deserves someone who respects her and wants the best for her.  She'll know that her daddy's love for her mom is what she deserves.

I am eternally grateful to these two men in my life...the two best dads that I know.