Father's Day

Like Mother's Day, Father's Day is a really bittersweet time in our house. I think many of the emotions and much of sentiment is the same as my Mother's Day post entitled Honor. So in an effort to not repeat myself, today I simply want to leave you with a few thoughts, a few pictures, and a small request.

This first thing I want to share is how fortunate I am to have a wonderful dad (and stepdad, father-in-law, and stepfather-in-law). My dad has always encouraged my sister and I in our pursuits... even standing out in the rain during our soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse games. When I was little, he'd take me to the local five and dime with all my pennies that I had earned folding laundry so that I could by plastic charms to go on my plastic charm necklace. He values time with family, and even still this summer, rents a house for a week so that we can all be together. My dad was there to welcome his first grandson, our sweet little Isaac, into the world, and later looked for the fullest and most beautiful mums to line the altar at Isaac's memorial service. I have a great dad.

The second thing I want to share is that I know that not everyone does... have an involved, caring father, I mean. I know that some people reading this may have lost their dad, may have never known their dad, whose dads may be absent, or whose dads may be involved in addictive or abusive patterns of behavior. What I want you to know is that you have a Father in heaven who loves you and adores you.

Lastly, I just wanted to share publicly how proud I am of Spencer as Isaac's dad. When I was pregnant with Isaac, Spence would love to just casually put his hand over my stomach while we were sitting watching tv or talking so that he could feel Isaac move. He would talk to him and say goodnight to him every night before bed. He came to every one of our countless (believe me... they were countless!) doctor's appointments, and willingly came joined in the search to find Isaac the perfect blanket and outfit.

On the day Isaac was born, watching Spencer hold him and love him was amazing. There was something both so strong and so tender in the way Spencer held Isaac. When our friends and family came in to meet Isaac and hold him, Spencer would be right there, making sure each person was gentle with him... he is such a protector. Spencer lead us in praying together with Isaac, and watching a man love his son is one of the most beautiful things.

So as I leave you with a few pictures of our sweet son with his daddy, I'd like to make this request: if you have a word of encouragement or an affirmation as a dad for Spencer today, would you leave a comment? I know your words will touch his heart.