He's the butt wiping kind of Dad. He's the making dinner kind of Dad. He's the monster fighting kind of Dad. The story reader, the adventure seeker, the sit down and color, to the jump up and boogie kind of Dad.
He's the Dad who's going to hug and kiss his kids until he's dead. They will never be too old to know their loved. He's the Dad who got up with our babies in the night more than I did. He's the Dad who wore a matching Spider-man costume with his son all day once, just to make his son feel special. He's the Dad helping them learn to count and read and use the potty. He's the Dad making bottles, carrying car seats, getting puked on, and snuggling babies. He's the Dad who never batted an eye when his son wanted a doll or a purse to play with. He's the Dad who stood and held his sick daughter for over 6 hours in a hospital room. She couldn't sleep in her photo-therapy crib, so her Daddy stood with his arms on either side of her so she could sleep with her Daddy near- and he stood there for 6 hours. He slept standing. I've never met a Father like him. He may have become a Father young, but he's a great one.
He's the Dad who occasionally loses his temper but isn't afraid to tell his kids "I'm sorry". He's also the Dad who talks to their kids when they've messed up so they know why. He's the Dad who forgives but sets rules. He's their hero, the masculine "Army guy", who can kick butt. He was also the stay at home Dad who shows his sons there's no such thing as "women's work" and he cooks and cleans sometimes giving Mom a total break.
He's the Dad who never talks bad about his son's Mom to him. He's the Dad who when his son was afraid that monster's could get his Mom because his Dad wasn't with his Mom- he told his son "Kiddo, I know your Mom could fight the monster's herself, but if you were ever scared for your Mom- you can call me up and I'll make sure she's okay too. Even though were not together anymore, doesn't mean I wouldn't help her". He's the Dad who makes sure his son knows to respect all his parents- because his Father does.
He's the Dad who shows his children how to be a husband. That every minute is sunshine happiness, but Mom and Dad can work it out. That in life- conflict happens, but you also say your sorry and you forgive. He shows them to respect women through his actions, he shows them to be affectionate, loving, and caring. He's the Dad who doesn't look at other women, doesn't make vulgar slurs, and makes time for his wife.
He's not a perfect Dad. Sometimes supper is a PB&J with juice and crackers. Sometimes we forget to brush our teeth. He can't be at every baseball game and sometimes a kid is in neon green and orange shirts with red, white, and blue shorts. He's not a perfect Dad, sometimes the house is messy and we watched too much tv. But let me tell you this- he's a damn great one. His kids know their Dad is invested. His kids know they are loved without a doubt. His kids know they can come to him to talk. They know they are okay to be themselves. They know they're important because they get attention, love, and affection.
No one is the perfect parent. We all fall short. One thing I have immense respect for my husband is the Father he is. I couldn't have handmade a better Dad for my kids. Truly. I struggle with my arthritis and related issues, sometimes I can't be "supermom" and he's always there. He cares how he parents his children, he cares so much, about more than just making sure they survive and don't bug him. He's a really involved Dad and I'm just incredibly grateful for the father he is.
Happy Father's Day hunny. You are an amazing Dad. I love you so much.
We've been together 4 years, I've been able to capture a few moments of him being Daddy. I think the pictures speak more than I ever could:
(Different that slideshow on facebook which you can view on my profile)