To the Fathers in my Life

To my husband:

I don't tell you enough how great of a dad you are to Jake.  Even today you're praising me for what a great mom I am.. when it's YOUR special day.. not mine :)  I really can't even fully express how much my love for you changed when you became a dad.  I was told by other moms before we had Jake to give their husbands space when they get home from work and don't throw your kids in their arms because you're tired and you've been with them all day.  I don't even have the option to do that because the second you walk in the door, Jake is frantically crawling in your direction knowing he is going to be tickled, thrown around, and played with for the next 20 minutes.  It is such a joy to watch you love on Jake and I am so thankful that Jake is going to grow up and learn more about the Lord from you.  I feel so blessed to walk through this parenting journey with you.

To my dad:

I have gained so much wisdom from you over these past 10 years. From changing tires on the car and doing our own oil changes to painting trim- you are one of the best teachers I know.  You have given Doug, Jon, and I so much wisdom over the past 25 years and I can only hope to do the same for our kids.  I am also so thankful you have shared your heart over the years about what God has taught you as well.  I will never forget Joshua 24:15 or hearing you share about how God was stretching you in the area of finances as you studied Malachi 3:10.  Those small conversations that we had in passing in the kitchen left hand prints on me that I still remember 10 years later.  Thank you for passing on your godly legacy to us :)

To my father in law:

From the moment I met you when Dan and I started dating back in high school you always have the biggest smile and give the best hugs.  It has been such a blessing to have you as my father in law and I have you to thank for Dan always wanting to hold my hand and tell me how pretty I am :)  I can't tell you how much I enjoy watching you tell Berta how much you love her and I can look over at Dan and know that is how he is going to be in 20 years- and what a blessing that is! Your love for your family and the way you accepted me into your family means the world to me and can't thank you enough for that.  Thank you for teaching Dan what it looks like to love your spouse unconditionally and through the good and the bad.