A Happy Father's Day Letter, Rediscovered

Dear Honey,

When I first fell in love with you, I imagined a life lived out happily ever after. I often tell others, I married for love and not for a family. I didn't know if we would have children, but I knew that I had waited a lifetime to find someone I could call lover, best friend, and soul mate.

It turns out that you are truly all those things to me, but I never anticipated what a gift you would be, as I've watched you grow into the loving father you are today.

As we brought two beautiful babies into this world, we never imagined how much work it was going to be to take to care of them. We've been battling our way through temper tantrums, taking turns wiping up poop, and voluntarily signing up for "guard duty" at night to watch over our waking children.

I sometimes catch myself longing for the carefree days we enjoyed before the treadmill of our everyday mommy-and-daddy schedule entered our lives. But I realize this Father's Day, in recounting all these tough memories, that it is all worth it, Honey.

For every difficulty we have encountered, I see a Daddy who has been a faithful watchman, loyal to his post. I see a loving father who will never leave his children, no matter how tough it gets. And for that, I am blessed forever. Not only are you shaping the course of the lives of two boys into manhood, but you see, you have also been changing mine.

With every moment of fatherhood I witness, you are filling my life with pictures of the father that I never had:

... With every kiss you plant on our boys' cheeks every day, after a long hard day's work.

... With the strength of your forgiveness, even when the milk was spilt and they wore your patience thin.

... With the safety of your hugs, even on days you were weary with tiredness in your body and caffeinated to the tilt.

... With your smile that welcomes them into your arms, shielding them from a world of troubles and grown up woes.

I count myself among the lucky, to have a husband who can walk beside me as a loving and faithful father. Although I never had the memory of a father to grace the bedroom doorway of my childhood, I now have a future of loving memories of a father who makes our children and my life happily ever after.

With Love Forever,
Bonnie