Father's Day: Remembering my Daddy

I am blessed with many fathers in my life. Fathers of friends, husbands of friends, my brothers and brothers-in-law, my father-in-law (who, after 12 years, I think I still make nervous when I try to hug him - sorry!), my cousins, and my cousins-in-law (right?) ... point is, I know a whole lot of really good men. I am thankful for their goodness, for their presence in my life, but most importantly, for their presence in their children's lives. Daddies are pretty special people.

This is my Daddy and I'd like to share pieces of him today.

1980, I think

Check out that macrame owl. Awesome, right?! These are my parents, my oldest brother, and me at my Dad's parents' house. I don't remember anything about this, but the picture still makes me smile.

1993, I think.

Though probably not his favorite picture of himself, this photo captures my Dad's personality almost perfectly. He was a big goofball, always making people laugh, and just a ton of fun to be around. He was charismatic, witty, and a quick-thinker. We often had "battles" where we'd try to outwit each other and while he usually won, I remember the look of pride that snuck across his face when I bested him once.

2001

This photo still chokes me up, almost 11 years later. The sun was in my eyes that day, so I couldn't see the expression on his face until the photos came back later. I don't remember whether he said it often, but I know I felt it every day. My Daddy loved me dearly. He loved his sons, both by blood and by marriage, more than he could ever express.

Happy Father's Day!