Happy Father's Day Dad

Happy Father's Day to my dad, my best friend.  I am so thankful that twenty something years ago God chose to bless me with the best earthly father in the world.  You have played such an important role in my life, I would not be who I am without you.  :-)  Throughout this post I want to share some of what you are to me.

My baby dedication

I am so thankful that you are the spiritual leader of our family.  Not only have you always lead our family in a way that is pleasing to God, anytime I have had questions, I always knew I could go to you and you would answer them to the best of your ability.  Whether the question had to do with suddenly noticing something not necessarily relevant, but still curious, or something of true spiritual relevance, you have always listened to my questions and answered them with patience.  (Which could not have always been easy since my curiosity is not easily satisfied. :-P ) 

From the time I was a little girl, all I ever wanted to be was a princess.  Thanks to you, anytime you were near I felt like one.  For as long as I can remember one of your nicknames for me has been princess, and as a little girl, I knew that I was a princess, your princess.  Thank you for letting me live that little girl dream of being a princess by being yours, for I am your princess and you are my buddy-boy.  :-) 

While many men I know want a son so badly, all you ever cared about that each of us kids as we came along was healthy.  Whether we were a girl or boy, that did not matter to you, and I am so glad it did not since we were all girls!  Thank you for loving each of us girls for who we are and never once wishing we were boys.  It couldn't of always been easy living in a "girl's dormitory," but you have been the best sport. 

From a young age I always have been a daddy's girl.  I have the fondest memories of following you around the house as you were fixing things pretending that I was fixing them also with a play tool box set.  I loved "helping" you and spending special father/ daughter time together.

You also helped cultivate my great love for antiques.  I learned from an early age that my sisters did not enjoy antique shopping, but if I came along, it was guaranteed time with you.  Now, I truly love antique shopping because of the antiques, but the experience is so much more fun if you are along.  As a matter of fact, you are my most favorite shopping partner no matter what kind of shopping it is.  We have the same viewpoint of shopping, instead of being on a mission for one item and one item only, we enjoy the experience getting side tracked along the way.  Both of us are notorious for turning what could have been five or ten minute shopping trips into nice long affairs.  More often than not returning home with an extra item or two.  (Ice cream anyone????)

Thank you for placing such an importance upon family.  Family is so important to you and mom and you have passed that on to us.  You have been a wonderful example of placing God first, family second, others next and yourself last.  Thank you for teaching me these important priorities and creating a family environment that makes hanging out with the family one of the most enjoyable things I do.

Thank you so much for the sacrifices you make for me.  Over the years I have watched you selflessly give up something in order to take care of my mom, my sisters and me.  Thank you for always providing for us and being a living example of what it is to live sacrificially.  I have never had to go without a need because you always found a way to make the needs be met. 

Thank you for being my best friend.  Mom has always called me her "Tim with a wig" and we truly are so much alike it is scary at times.  Our being so much alike though has greatly contributed to the special bond we share.  You understand me more than I understand myself sometimes.  I just have to barely begin on a train of thought and more often than not you are able to finish my sentences because you already understand where I am headed and have caught onto my vision.  Thank you for always listening and talking with me.  I cannot imagine my life without you!

Thank you for encouraging my love of reading.  When I was little and running out of books to read, you introduced me to my childhood favorites: The Chronicles of Narnia and In His Steps. You helped cultivate my love of reading and did not complain when I I eventually wore the cover off of In His Steps from reading it so many times.  Thank you also for always being such a wonderful listener when I had just read something exciting or funny and I was dying to share it with someone.  You always gave the appropriate reactions and would laugh along with me on a part that I thought was so funny! (You still do!)

As alike as we are it is not surprising that we also share a love for music.  I love when you call me over to your office to show me some song you have discovered or for me to listen to an oldie-but-goodie that has come on the radio.  I love of how once we get started we tend to go off on rabbit trails moving from one song to the next, talking the whole time or just sitting and enjoying the music.  I can always count on you to know when I need to talk or just when I need someone with me.  Whenever I am going through a hard time in my life, I know I can count on you to hold me.  You do not necessarily try to make me laugh, you just make me feel loved, which is what I need.

As with mom, we had our fair share of driving experiences, all of which started in Worlds of Fun.  I am sure you remember it as vividly as I do.  I had greatly been protesting getting my permit and as a way to prove I was not ready to learn how to drive, well, lets say that our ride in the antique cars was not the smoothest.  It was a little bit, weeeeelllllllll, shall we say...... rough?  Thank you for being so great about it and just laughing it off.  :-)

Then when we went on vacation to Kansas City, we discovered this coffee mug.  We both fell in love with it.  While meant as a joke, the top is true, father really does know best. 

I am so thankful to have your support in all that I do.  Thank you for always believing in me and cheering me on.  You have always believed in me, even when I have not.

Thank you so much dad for always being here for me.  My whole life I have been able to depend on you and have never once had to wonder if you love me.  It has been a knowledge I have grown up with.  Your love has been evident my whole life and it means more to me than you can ever truly comprehend.  Whether it has been holding me as I cried when our cat died, just spending time shopping with me, helping me fix up antiques for my bedroom, sneaking with me out of the house when I was little to go on walks, or just letting me hang out with you, these have been some of the best moments in my life.  I love just being with you dad, my buddy-boy as I love to call you.  I am so thankful that when I go to Kenya this November, I will not be going alone, but you will be with me as I go overseas for the first time.  I am also so glad that you will be there with me as I experience the mission field for the first time!  I cannot imagine my life without you in it, you bring so much laughter, joy and love into my life.  You have helped me become the person I am.  Words can never describe how important you are to me or how much I love you, but I hope that this post gives you just a little glimpse.  I love you so much and just want you to know, no matter how old I am or how far God may lead me, I will always, ALWAYS, be your little girl, your princess, and you will always be my dad. My buddy-boy.  I love you daddy, happy Father's Day!!!!!!!!
Love, Michelle <3