June 15, 2014
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to all the dads out there!
I feel so blessed today as we celebrate Father’s Day. I have the most incredible father, and I have an amazing husband who is a wonderful father to our children. As far as Father’s Day goes … I have a lot to celebrate.
My dad has always been my biggest fan. He always believed that I could be anything I wanted to become and he has supported me in all my crazy endeavors. I have so many memories of my dad that make me smile. Probably one of the most touching memories was on my wedding day. I remember being at the altar and glancing over at my dad (who by the way was sick as a dog!) and seeing him look at me with tears rolling down his face. It was at that moment that I realized how difficult it is to be a father and realize you are letting go of your little girl.
My dad was the father of four girls and we all thought he could do anything. He lived on a pedestal so high that it must have been overwhelming sometimes. Another favorite memory is when we had a puppy die and my sister said, “Don’t worry … dad will fix it when he gets home.” We honestly believed my dad could fix anything and make it all better. My dad can fix just about anything – maybe not a dead dog – but just about everything else. He can build, repair, and create anything.
When I was in charge of house decorations for my sorority during Greek Week one year in college, I told him that what I really wanted to create were two 30-foot wine glasses that could move and clink each other. I just remember my dad looking at me and saying, “30 feet?! Do you know how tall 30 feet is?” Obviously I didn’t, but my dad figured out a way to make two 15-foot wine glasses from wood. I don’t even know how he did it, but he did – and they even moved back and forth to clink! Needless to say, we won the award for best House Decorations that year thanks to my dad. He has always been able to do things like that. Even today, if any of us need something fixed, created or figured out, my dad is the man to call.
My dad turns 80 years old this summer! He still is as sharp as a tack and moves like a man half his age. I admire him so much! My dad taught me about hard work, integrity, and commitment to family. His family means everything to him and has always come first. He is opinionated, smart, funny, sarcastic, genuine, and selfless. He has been such an incredible example to me and I love him more than I could ever express.
Then I have my husband. He is such an amazing father to our two kids. He, like my dad, considers his little family the most important thing in his life and he would do anything for his children. He just beams with pride about both of his kids. He loves to spend time with them and is their biggest fan. I know how lucky my two children are to have him as their father and I feel very lucky to have him be my partner in parenthood. I love him and the great example of love, strength, and support he is for my kids.
This song today is from Sarah McLachlan’s new album, Shine On and is a tribute to her father. The album, which is her seventh full length album, was released just last month in May 2014. Sarah McLachlan is from Canada and made her debut in 1988. She is an incredibly talented artist with a beautifully unique voice and incredible staying power. I love this song and the emotion that is expressed when she sings it.
Not Your Mom's Playlist 