Yesterday was a very uneventful father’s day, but special all the same, because we celebrated with 3 amazing men who have each demonstrated in their own unique ways the meaning behind the word “fatherhood”.
My dad is a fun-loving, playful, and affectionate person by nature. My sister and I got lots of hugs and kisses from him growing up, and I still remember how I looked forward to him tucking me into bed every night. I would prop my feet up in a 90 degree angle purposely, knowing that he will tell me to lay it flat on my bed, or else “I wouldn’t grow any taller.” It’s funny how fond memories like that stay with us forever.
At 73, my dad is still playful, with a quirky sense of humor. He’s the happy-go-lucky, adventurous grandpa now that loves the latest gadgets, and yearns to travel the world with my mom. He has passed onto me a strong work ethic, a sense of humor in everyday life, and the value of education.
When I married Alan 10 years ago, I gained a second set of parents. Contrary to all the horror stories of in-law problems, I’ve been pretty lucky. My parents in law literally just adopted me into their family and genuinely treated me like their own daughter. As with any relationship, there were definitely kinks to get over on how to get along, and we’ve had our fair share of challenges to overcome, but we are one happy family today. They’ve been incredibly dependable whenever we need a babysitter for Bridgette, and my mother in law still cooks for us more often than she should! 🙂
My father in law has taught me that it’s never too late to show affection. Though he was too busy with his business to raise his own sons, he is now enjoying his role as a grandpa and it’s been fun catching glimpses of his affection and joy whenever he’s around his grandchildren.
And then there’s the daddy to my baby…. the man who puts a smile to both Bridgette and my faces everyday simply with his presence. I love how silly, goofy, and playful he is around Bridgette, yet when the situation calls for more serious disciplining, he stands behind me 100%. He’s definitely in this “parenthood journey” as an equal partner to me, pulling in his weight more often than not, and reading up on parental advice on his own because he truly wants to do the right thing. To be honest, there were not a whole lot of telling signs as to what type of father he’d be when I married him. He was such an adrenaline junkie and a free spirit that I worried if he could handle parenthood. But, he transitioned into this role so naturally that he surprised everyone, even himself. And now, I get the daily joy of witnessing the growing bond between him and Bridgette
Cheers to all the great fathers out there–it’s a challenging role full of high expectations, but it’s also a role that reaps happiness and fulfillment everyday.
