Happy Father's Day!

I've started this post several different times in several different ways. I mean, how can you really post everything about fathers in one lousy post? And how to make in meaningful without being cheesy? So, here's my best attempt.

I seriously have the best men in my family. Let's start at the top and work our way down. My Grandpa A is amazing. Among other things, he taught me at a young age that true love grows stronger with time, not weaker. As I've grown older, I've never seen anyone love their spouse the way my grandpa does. My grandma is currently suffering with dementia, and despite all the hardships this brings, I am touched at what it has done to what I always thought was the perfect marriage. My grandpa is so considerate of my grandma and her feelings and frustrations, and he is still so sweet with how he talks about her. I hope someday to have the marriage that my grandpa has modeled for me.

My Grandpa S was also an amazing man. As much as I used to joke about how I wished I was more from my mom's side than my dad's growing up, I proudly kept my maiden name for my middle name when I got married. My grandpa was a convert to the Church, and yet you'd never know it. He was so devoted to the gospel, even serving several missions with his wife in his later years (including to my beloved Nauvoo Temple). My grandpa taught me that life is not to be wasted, that money should be saved well and spent well, and that it's okay to love people but not like them sometimes. And, of course, Grandpa taught me that everyone can be the favorite (even though I'm sure that I'm REALLY the most favorite grandchild...).

Of course, awesome grandparents means awesome parents. Since this is a Father's Day post, I'm going to try to talk about my dad without getting too emotional. Or not. :) Let's start by not using my words:

"My daddy is my fav’rite pal,
And I help him ev’ry day.
It’s plain to see I want to be
Like him in ev’ry way.
He teaches me that honesty
Is best in all I do.
I’m very glad that he’s my dad,
And I know he loves me too."
(LDS Children's Songbook, "My Dad", song #211)

I wanted to be just like my daddy growing up, even though I was a girl. I wanted to go on scouting trips and mow the grass and clean the pool. I wanted to be able to wear swimsuits that were just shorts and have ratty tennis shoes for working in the yard and know how to fix everything from toilets to walls (with two older brothers, my dad patched a lot of walls...). I wanted to be magically good at painting walls and be able to sense when things where done properly. I wanted to know how to check my oil, change a flat tire, and when a mechanic was lying to me. I wanted to jump high on the trampoline, be over 6 feet tall so I could be good at basketball, and be the best softball player ever.

I may not have gotten everything I wanted (I'm sure my neighbors are thankful that I no longer want to wear swimsuits that are just shorts!), but my daddy was able to teach me many of the above. I know how to check my oil and change a flat tire, though I'm still relying on my mechanic to be honest. I know how to mow grass, unclog sink drains, build a fire, and set up a tent. I knew how to pick a good man to marry because I tried to find one that was like my dad. I've learned to have compassion based on watching my dad buy food for homeless people. I've learned that sometimes you have to watch your kids do dumb things because they're too stubborn to listen to their wiser parents, but that you love them all the same. My dad taught me that it's incredibly valuable to learn the scriptures on the deepest level you can, because there's so much more to every story than what's obvious in the first reading. I've learned that Seminary is the best part of high school, and it's well worth it to wake up super early in the morning to go. I've learned that some things are just common courtesy, like filling up the gas tank before you return a borrowed car. I've learned that husbands should love their wives, and children should obey, honor, and respect their mothers, because my daddy taught me this by his example and by busting my butt when I didn't treat my mom as well as I should have.

My daddy IS my favorite pal. I think he's the best dad a girl could ever have, and if you don't agree with me then we can just take this outside...

Finally, no post on Father's Day would be complete without paying homage to my wonderful hubby, the father of my children. I seriously lucked out on this one. Though I'm sure he'll modestly disagree, B1 is an awesome dad. He works so hard so I can be at home with our kids. He's B2's biggest fan at his t-ball games. He wrestles B2 and tickles him almost to the point where B2 can't handle it anymore. I absolutely love watching him play with the kids. B2 and D of course just adore their daddy. As a husband he is so supportive. He came and watch me run my half marathon (can you say BORING! I think the only sport less interesting to watch than running is probably rhythmic gymnastics). He went to all my work parties even through he didn't really know anyone there (except during the times my sister worked there), and never complained about being bored when we started talking shop. He doesn't complain (much) when I spend hours blogging or editing photos, and lets me spend lots of money on hobbies like cake decorating. He laughs, and only grimaces a little, when I told his coworker that the chocolate cake I brought for B1 was really feces, because I didn't want the coworker to sneak it (I'm such a lady, aren't I?). B1 is such a wonderful husband and father, and we are so blessed to have him.

I could continue on and talk about all the wonderful other fathers out there, like my brothers, brothers-in-law, father-in-law, grandparents-in-law, but emotionally I just don't have it in me. Sorry guys. But seriously, Happy Father's Day!!!!