I know I’m a day late, but yesterday was a pretty busy day. I just wanted to say Happy Fathers Day (again) to my dad, my father in-law, my handsome husband, and all of the other dads and moms doing the job.
My dad gave me my love of music. That’s why I am so head over heels with Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, Johnny Horton and Waylon Jennings. I hear that music and I think of him instantly. He also gave me my ability to drink a thousand beer and still be able to wake up the next day (thanks for that dad). Most importantly though, he taught me how to say I love you every time we end a phone call or visit. He taught me what the value of a hug is, and that we might not have tomorrow so we need to show people how we feel everyday. He taught me to tuck my son in every night because it makes him feel safe and loved. He taught me to go through life with a sense of humor. He gave me my hearty laugh and giant smile, and every time I see a picture of myself, I see a piece of him in it. Thank you for all of the love, laughs and protection dad. Seeing you laugh, play and read books with your grandson makes me so happy I could cry. I love you.
My father in-law was a harder nut to crack. He’s a rough and tumble, manly farmer. In came this blonde, loud and ridiculous girl that he now gets to call his daughter in-law. Even though he wasn’t used to it (mushy isn’t his thing) he has never missed the opportunity to hug his grandson and tell him that he loves him. I became protective of him. I’m on his ass about his health and if he’s looking after himself. I tend to get ornery if he isn’t, because after years of wearing him down, I think he might actually love me back. His hippie daughter in-law that walks in covered in faux fur and has his grandson in a Johnny Depp in the movie Blow haircut, has finally weaseled her way in. Thank you so much for being a second father to me. I don’t enjoy getting on anyone’s nerves as much as I do yours.
Finally, my husband. He has been an incredible dad since the second our son was born. He changed diapers without asking, he gave him every bath until Cash was three months old and never complained about how he turned into a buttery noodle as soon as water touched his skin, he looks after bumps and bruises with a soothing voice and lots of hugs. He cuddles and puts in hours of Scooby-Doo. He even put in shifts at the school doing microwave duty at lunchtime. He is the epitome of the phrase “hard working man” and still, even when he’s dead tired, will always find the energy for me and our son. He never passes up an opportunity to spend time with us. It makes me happy that even if we hit a rough patch in our marriage and couldn’t make it work, he would still be the amazing dad that he is, because that’s exactly the type of man that he is. Being a father comes so easily to him that it makes me proud to watch. Thank you for being such a great man Derek. You are a great role model and I appreciate everything you do.
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