Happy Father's Day

My dad. I couldn't even begin to describe him - you just have to know him. He is someone special, for sure.

One of my earliest memories of him was actually when he was leaving. He and my mom divorced when I was a baby, which really, I'm kinda glad because I don't remember them being together. But I do remember when he dropped me off after visiting when I was about 5 years old (he lived 200 miles away, and would come visit often)...and how much I missed him. I spent the day going back over and over to the spot where his car had been - and breathed deeply. I loved the smell of his cologne, because it reminded me of him. Old Spice will always bring me back to those days of wanting to be with my dad. I just adored him. I remember the letters he would write and the drawings he'd put on them. I remember waiting in the airport, just crying because I was flying back home, and telling him how I wished our towns were closer. I remember riding in the car with him once, headed to his town, with his arm around me and telling me that I was his buddy. I was so proud. Visits and phone calls from him were always the highlight of my days growing up.

Then in high school, I moved to his house. And I learned so much more about him. He got me a job working at a local marina, since he knew all of the marina owners. I quickly discovered how his reputation preceded him. And then it preceded me. There was a special amount of respect that was shown to me because everyone had so much respect and adoration for my father. It was an honor to get a glimpse into his work environment, and made me so proud to be his daughter.

When I started college, I remember having a friend help me move because I was too afraid to let my dad do it. I couldn't handle watching him drive off. And for the first time, in my college days, I got to know Dad on a new level: as a Christian. I was trembling as I finally got the nerve to ask him how he'd come to know the Lord. And he told me the story. He was a truck driver, out traveling, when he'd met some people who were very excited about the Lord. They took him in like he was family, and told him about Jesus. I think that their church held a baptismal service in a creek and he was baptized (right, Dad?). I was about 6 or 7 years old at the time. I vaguely remember playing in his big rig. I asked him why he quit driving the truck, since he really enjoyed traveling and he said it was too hard to be apart from my sister and me.

And then Chuck entered the picture... I didn't date much before him, and in fact, I think I worried my dad a bit. He didn't know that I was watching Chuck closely for a few years and that we'd become good friends. So I think he was happy the day Chuck asked him if he could date me, but shocked when Chuck returned 6 weeks later to ask for my hand in marriage! I was only 20 - Dad was only 44. At our wedding we had our dads pray over us, and while I remember Chuck's dad praying for any future children, I don't recall my dad doing the same. He later said I should wait 10 years before having children because he was too young to be a grandfather! Ha!! I gave him ample warning 3 years later that we were trying to conceive... And he choose the name "Big Daddy" instead of "Grand Father" because he was still too young, he said. LOL. He can always make me laugh. But then our relationship changed yet again when Charlie made him a "Big Daddy." To see how much he loves this boy, and now Chance and Chandler as well, is just amazing.

[Charlie as a baby. Notice the Big Daddy shirt?]


[Dad with Charlie now.]



[Big Daddy makes Chandler smile.]

Happy Father's Day, Dad...Big Daddy! We love you!

Then there's Chuck's Dad. It would be an understatement to say he's been a role model to me. I actually got to know him as my friends' dad long before he was my father-in-law. I practically lived with the Thiers, as often as I was over, and got to see first-hand how a loving Christian family operates on a daily basis. It was a great learning experience, and then such an honor to be grafted into that family. Chuck's dad is a man of great wisdom, great patience, and sacrificial love. He models a great marriage, and how to be a great support and father to his children. He's taught me much about the Bible and about life. And Chuck is just like him. I'm so grateful.

[With Chandler.]

Happy Father's Day, Dad...Grandpa! We love you!

Then there's this guy:



Oh wait, that's not a fathering picture...


There we go. This was his first time to hold Charlie...and realize he was a dad!

Anyhow, how could I possibly sum up what a great father Chuck is? The sacrifices he makes, especially when it comes to giving up his dreams to meet his kids needs, just amaze me! The first year of fatherhood for him was a bit of a downer I think, because Charlie was a baby who wanted Mommy all the time. But slowly over the years, he's completely turned to Daddy. And Chance has followed suit. It won't be long before he has three little boys imitating his every move. And I truly couldn't imagine doing this parenting gig without him. He supports me at every turn, and I am just so grateful. I'm so glad the boys have a great father to follow...

Happy Father's Day, babe! I love you.




[Chandler]


[Chance]


[Charlie]


[Charlie.]


[About to bring Chandler home from the hospital.]


[Reading bedtime stories.]

And since Daddy's a computer geek, we got geeky (and yes, cheesy) for Father's Day.

Here's all of the "dads" with me in the labor room, the day we had Charlie. Where would we be without our dads?!


Happy Father's Day!