Father's Day

There are a few holidays on the calendar that leave me feeling a little nervous as I plan for and anticipate them.  Fathers Day is one of those holidays because I have such fantastic fathers in my life that no amount of planning or celebrating feels adequate.  

Sometimes it's hard to celebrate the people you love the most but I think many good celebrations start with genuine appreciation.  With that in mind, I wanted to share a little bit about why I appreciate the fathers in my life.  

Fathers Day Breakfast 2020

My dad is faithful, loyal, consistent and involved.  He's hard working and incredibly resilient.  He has impeccable follow-through and is one of the few people I know who can dive deep into details and still keep the big picture in mind.  He raised all of his kids with the goal of launching us into a stable and secure adulthood.  The fact all four of his children are happily married is really a testament to the vision he cast all along about who we would become and the relationships that would matter most.  My dad has always honored Shawn as the most important earthly relationship I have, which has allowed my relationship with my husband and my dad to be as healthy as they possibly can be.  It's a gift that keeps on giving! 

My father-in-law is quick to laugh, down-to-earth and has good boundaries.  I have always appreciated how well he knows himself and how committed he is to the people in his life.  His unconditional acceptance of me blesses me continually.  I know that I get to show up and be exactly who I am, and that who I am is always enough for him.  

Shawn has exceeded every expectation I had for him as a father.  I loved him before we became parents, but my love for him grew in countless ways when I experienced him as a father.  He is patient, and loving.  He is consistent and clear.  He is playful and fun.  I smile every time I think about his example to our children in faith, in marriage, in work and in life.  He is a man of incredible character and he never hesitates to be involved in the nitty gritty details of our daily lives.  He changes diapers without being asked, he is excellent at cleaning sticky fingers and he has an unmatched ability to pick up the living room in lightening speed.  While he is completely capable of handling things without me, it's his choice to continually parent with me that strengthens us both.  Shawn is a great dad, but he's also a phenomenal teammate and I am thankful everyday that we are on the same team.   

Happy belated Fathers Day! 

Love, 

Erica