Sunday, January 25, 2015

To Blake... the Best Dad I Know

With less than a month to go before baby boy Hardin arrives, I feel compelled to share a few thoughts about the best father I know - my husband, Blake.

Now that both our Dads are gone, Blake is the only father figure in our kids' lives and of course the actual Father.  Our Dads made a lot of mistakes (let's face it, no one's perfect), but the good news is, we turned out all right, life goes on, and we get to learn valuable life lessons from those men.  Blake gets to be the kind of Dad that mine never was and he gets to follow through like his never did.

Many would say that's a lot of pressure on someone. Not for Blake. He was born to be a Dad and I think he would tell you it's the best and most important job he's ever had and will ever have.

I love how our children come first in his life. How every night when he comes home, he drops everything and tosses Emry in the air. They embrace and kiss and embrace and kiss again, and then she sits there cheek-to-cheek with him, a huge smile on her face, and an iron grip around his neck.  Eventually she leads him off down the hallway to go find the cat.  He would even eat dinner with her in his lap if I didn't say that she needs to understand some boundaries.  I love that he asks her what she dreams about each morning as he goes into bed to cuddle with her.  (These days she dreams about coins).  And how he has already instilled in her a love for numbers - she counts up and counts down and even adds fingers together.

In less than a month our baby boy will be here and he couldn't be more lucky to have Blake as his Dad.  They will have a loving relationship, they will respect each other, our boy will look up to him, and Blake will be proud of him. Whether our child decides to play drums in the school band, join the debate team, play American football, or best-case scenario, become a kick-ass soccer player (real futbol!), I know his Dad will be the first to support him.

And here's the kicker:  Blake won't really realize it but by being an amazing Dad and most importantly an amazing husband, he will be giving our son the greatest gift. Our son will know what it is to be a good man.  And that's the simple truth right there.  The best part?  I get to be a part of it all.

Three weeks from now is Valentine's Day and there's a very good chance we will be in the hospital meeting our little boy. So, I would like to say Happy Valentine's Day to my husband Blake. Thank you for picking me, for always doing your best, and for giving me such happiness. Our family is blessed to have you.

I can't wait to meet our Son!