To The Dads

As Father’s Day is approaching, I’ve been thinking a lot about the Dad’s in my life, and decided to take this opportunity to pay tribute to them. I saw on my sister’s facebook the other day that she had posted: “I have the best mom EVER” which many, including myself, have agreed with. But I don’t think the Dad’s ever get enough credit…so here you go Dads…here’s your credit from me.
There are 4 different Dad’s in my life, and I want to take the opportunity to acknowledge each.

My First Dad of course has to be my own. The Dad I’ve had since birth. He gets teased, a lot, and takes it all in stride, which is probably why he gets teased so much. There isn’t much that gets my Dad worked up. He has his frustrations, and his anxieties, but all of my life, I can remember a pretty even standard from him. His joy comes from simple things. Family, a show on the History Channel, or a game of solitaire on the computer. He loves learning, and has spent his life filling his mind with every ounce of knowledge he could cram in there. Some of it we find useless, but you never know when a bit of useless trivia might come in handy. My Dad is a Student of the Gospel. From my Dad, I gained my first testimony. He taught me to love the scriptures. He taught me to love God. He taught me to love and honor the Priesthood. His devotion and conviction is palpable. I think sometimes as children, we think that our parents have to be perfect. They’re parents, so that’s the way it has to be. And it isn’t until we become parents ourselves that we realize how much we don’t know, and how much we live by the seat of our pants when it comes to children and raising them. As I have parented, I have gained a greater respect for my own. It’s hard work. And you’re living it moment by moment, without any instructions. My Dad is humble, yet proud. In the good ways, usually. His loves for family and the Gospel drive pretty much everything he does. My Dad also taught me about affection. He’s a hugger, when most around him are not. He is white shirts and dress pants and Sunday best most days of the week. He is a rescuer and has saved me many times…from fender-benders, from heartache, and from poor decisions. The nice thing about a dad who likes to play solitaire late into the night, is he’s almost always awake when you get home and need someone to talk to.

My Second Dad is the one I inherited when I got married…although I think the relationship began long before that. Scott is a noble. Maybe not by birth, but by character for sure. Many people have told me they are intimidated by him, which I’ve always found so hard to believe. While Tyler and I were dating, I would often sleep on the hide-a-bed and end up having late night talks with Scott after everyone else had gone to sleep. We talked about work, the gospel, teenagers, raising kids, pretty much anything that was on his mind. I had never met an adult before who would be so honest and talk to me like I was already a grown-up, even though I was far from it. He treated and has always treated me like my opinion matters. He, also, is fiercely devoted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and his family. It’s been fun to see him in the role of Papa, and how well he treats my kids. He teases his wife for spoiling her grandkids, but I have seen the twinkle in his eyes as he gets excited about sharing or buying something new and exciting for his grandkids. He reminds me of the way my Grandpa was to us. Scott is a ‘get down and dirty and get the job done’ kind of man, which inspires me and has me forever grateful, because he has instilled that quality in my husband…and that’s a pretty great quality to have in a husband. He loves his wife, and shows it. He plays with his boys and shows love and tenderness to his girls. He works hard…too hard most of the time, but rarely complains. He takes care of his mother. He honors his priesthood and goes out to serve wherever required, not needing to be asked.

The Third Dad of course, is the Father of my children. My wonderful husband. Like I said before, when you’re growing up, you think your parents HAVE to be perfect and know all the answers, and it isn’t until you become a parent yourself that you realize that there is a lot of guessing and a lot of testing and a lot of praying to get it right. I am grateful for my husband that he does not shy away from these responsibilities. He is happy to play and teach his children. He is willing to work at it. He is willing to pray with me as we strive to be the parents that we want to be. He’s never too tired to share a smile with his kids. He loves to cuddle his babies, and wrestle with his big kids. He’s teaching them to work and to love. He is fiercely devoted to their mother and ensures his children treat her right (not a bad place for me to be). He supports me as a mother, and encourages me. He is a problem-solver and will get his hands dirty…even with diapers. It a wonderful thing, watching the boy you were friends with, turn into the guy you have a crush on, and then to the man you fall in love with and finally into the Dad you are amazed by. He is my perfect teammate and makes being a mother easier because he’s such a great Father.

The Last Dad is my forever Dad. My Heavenly Father. I am grateful to have a knowledge of Him and His plan. I am grateful for the love that I feel from Him daily as I struggle through this life. I am grateful that in my weakness I can go to Him and feel buoyed up immediately. I am grateful that the other three Dad’s in my life are striving to be like Him. I feel at awe about the love that He has for us, and how it’s not a general, generic kind of love, but a deep personal love for each one of us. I think of Him in everything that I do, and pray that I may be pleasing in his sight. I know that I am weak and imperfect, but I am grateful that He is not. He is strong and perfect and willing – and that’s exactly what this daughter needs.