Father's Day Shift

We don't have fathers in this house.

Three years ago, we lost them both.  Todd's Dad first, a day shy of 86 at the end of May and then my Dad, at age 64 on July 7.

That last Father's Day in 2010 I pulled into my parents' driveway to see my Dad...act like my Dad for the last time.  Not sick.  He was showing Mom how to use the lawn mower and she was oblivious and driving into a ditch and waving and he was cursing and trying to get her to stop.

I had already given him his gift..the most recent seasons of True Blood and Dexter.  When I had handed them to him early, I said I figured it wasn't worth waiting. I had meant because he knew he was getting them.  He thought I meant because he was dying.  I can think of these things without weeping.  But I miss him.  What's more, I miss most what I didn't get to see.  Him holding Ellie...him taking Adam fishing...him spoiling the heck out of a grown-up Abbey.

But Father's Day is still worth celebrating here.  My three children have an amazing father.  I knew from the moment Todd and I started discussing spending our life together he'd make a great Dad.  Our children are his first priority.  He thinks of them all the time and plans for the futures constantly.  He has always been ambitious and a hard worker, but since he's become a father, I can see how it drives him to succeed even more.

And nothing makes him happier than seeing his kids...happy.  He tries his best to take care of their needs and be there for them emotionally.  He is loving and caring, like my Dad was.

Todd is a father worth celebrating.

In a time when many Dads are absent...either literally or mentally....Todd wouldn't dream of not being there for them.  He can't even stand it if they go to bed before he gets home!  Our kids run to the door when he gets home Abbey saying DADDY DADDY.  Warms my heart.  And I know my Dad would feel the same...that his grandkids have a great father would make him proud.

Adam made him a card at school and one at home and Abbey picked him out a card at the store and decorated it.  They each gave him a book: Goodnight, Ipad and Darth Vadar and his Princess :)

We had steak and broiled shrimp at his request...I will admit he had to finish cooking it while I took care of Ellie.

We will end the day with wine and the season premier of True Blood. We were going to go somewhere today, but this seemed like a better idea.

I remember the day I told Todd we were having Adam.  I called him to my apartment at Hart Hall and told him he was going to be a Dad.  He took off his ski hat as he leaned on the back on the arm chair in my living room, a bit speechless and shell shocked (rare for my husband :).  That was February 26, 2008.

"No," he said after a pause.  "Anyone can be Dad.  I am going to be a Father."