Father's

I was a typical daddy's girl. My dad taught me how to mow a yard. My dad taught me how to check my brake pads and how to ride a motorcycle. My dad taught me how to properly kiss a sturgeon before releasing it to grow a little bit more. My dad taught me to watch in amazement as the light changes to capture the exact photo you were wishing for. My dad taught me that marriage is hard and he taught me to never give up. But the most important thing I think he's teaching me is humility. Recently, I spent an extended stay at my parents. My car decided to baffle the auto techs and after changing multiple sensors along with every other car check it was still leaving them at a loss to the problem. As we sat in the waiting area, dollar signs filling my head, my dad took my hands. He looked at me and said we needed to pray. At the mechanics, in a waiting room, other manly men flipping through the latest Sports Illustrated my dad prayed. Out loud. Tears streaming down my face he prayed for an answer, he prayed for my sanity, he prayed for a calm spirit for my husband receiving the ever growing tab, he prayed that we would learn from this trial and he prayed patience for the anxious children who had been ready for 4 days to hit the road. And tears continued to stream down my cheeks. I'm not there yet. I don't think if I was him I could've done the same thing. "What will people think?" My mouth is dry thinking about it!! I want to be there, I want to not care, to have the strength in my faith that supercedes sideways glances, but I don't. I'm trying. My parents continue to set the bar a little higher, forever willing their grown children to strive for more. Thank you dad.

Childhood left behind, the other daddy in my life is all mine. This past week we reached a new pinnacle in our relationship. We worked as a family on our church's VBS. And it was hot. For any that knew our weather that week you know I'm not talking about that, because it rained!!! No, it was him. There's something about watching your 'great white hunter' doing every goofy dance, singing the most repetitious bible songs and sharing his life and faith with kids that quite honestly couldn't have been topped by the most romantic weekend getaway. Seeing him open and honest and not caring what others possibly thought was simply, amazing. Mom's are supposed to do the stupid stuff, we're supposed to know all the moves and teach them the words while dad sits in the Lay-z Boy and watches. My man was out of the chair. I love you babe, you're a great dad, leader, partner and friend. On top of it all, you're mine.