Today is Father’s Day.

My father is not really a father, but more like a guy I used to visit in the summer when I was a child. My parents were divorced when I was three and while many family members have said my dad tried, he did not try hard enough. When I am feeling angry I call him the sperm donor and when I am feeling generous I believe he did the best he could given his upbringing, but a father he was not.

fa·ther n. – a man who exercises paternal care over other persons; paternal protector or provider.

The definition, while accurate, does not even scratch the surface. So much attention is given to the mother in our society and that may be because there are a lot of disappointing fathers, but I believe there are many incredible fathers out there.

I am married to one.

He is not a cheesy Hallmark father. He is a real, loving, funny, silly, responsible, showing up Dad.

My daughters will set their standard for a partner based on this man’s efforts and behavior. My son will aspire to be a fine man and learn how to treat women by watching his Dad. When our children are grown these will be the gifts he leaves them with, but most importantly he has shown them he is flawed.

He makes mistakes, says things he does not mean and is not afraid to share his own challenges growing up. He apologizes. Our children know their father is first and foremost a human being. He is not a God and he will be the first to tell you he is far from perfect. As our children grow and stumble they take comfort in knowing that it happens to the best of people.

Father’s Day is a time to celebrate good men of all shapes and sizes and there are so many…
Little League Dads, Ballet Class Dads, Homework Dads, Belly Laughing Dads, Military Dads, Stay at Home Dads, Working Hard Dads, Vacation Planning Dads, Making Ends Meet Dads, Biological and Adoptive Dads, Big Brothers, Fun Uncles, Involved Neighbors, Barbecue Dads, Late Night and Early Morning Dads, New Dads and Grand Dads and everyone in between.

Father is a complex and broad definition. Families are messy, work is hard and marriage does not always work out. Happy Father’s Day to the men that show up and give it their best effort every day.

Happy Father’s Day to Katlyn, Cotter and Maggie’s Dad!

That is all from the laundry room.

Wake Up Early!

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