Happy Father's Day

Meet my dad.

Debonair, no?

My dad put some incredibly high standards in my life. He showed me how a man should treat a woman, how a man should carry himself with integrity, kindness, and humor. He should me what a father should be. Engaged and active with their children, gifting them with confidence and love.

My dad bestowed me amazing childhood memories. Walk to the Big Grass with Mr. Turtle stuffed into a play baby stroller (so totally not approved by the ASPCA). Driving over the Utah mountains watching silent and breathtaking sunsets. Nightly walks around the field with the dog (well, back when she could actually walk...Poor Wishy!) Airport pick-ups for Julie Flagstaff and her omnipresent briefcase. Cheering and crying with me as I earned a spot in #1 doubles at states - we both knew the win meant so much more in the big picture for me than just a medal.

Dad carried me (often literally) through the worst. He took a leave from school to take care of me when I was sick. He called doctors, took me to orthopedists, chiropracters, physical therapists, bracing specialists, Children's Hospital, spinal surgeons, even all the way to Texas. He stayed up night after night rubbing my back, feeding me medicine (and subsequently making sure I was still breathing...), and often driving me through the dark to the emergency room. He saw me in my lowest, my most pained, but through strength and love, he successfully saw me through it to the other side. 

Last year, around this time, he rode with me backwards on a golf cart in the rain to walk me down the aisle toward my future. He gave me away with tears and love - both from him and I. And in six months I will give him something back - a grandchild.

And I know that our baby will grow up and be able to look back on his/her father with the same love that I can.

Because I was somehow lucky enough to find a man that could fill the enormous shoes my dad put in my life.

Like my father, he makes me feel loved, supported, cared for, and beautiful every single day. And he is going to make a truly amazing dad. I can't wait to see it...

In my family, we show our love through our actions, our hearts, and our support. But we don't often say it outloud to each other, and sometimes, it really is worth saying. Happy Father's Day dad, I love you.