A Good Dad

These days I try to change clothes quickly, but he'll glance sideways and see it. I know he does. I know he sees the extra pounds, the loose skin, and the stretch marks from carrying four babies to full term in the past five years. But he still smiles when I walk in the room and tells me I've grown more beautiful and elegant over the past nine years. He wraps me up in a hug in the kitchen and tells me I'm hot. Even when I have no makeup on and I'm wearing clothes that have spit up and peanut butter and dirt on them, he remarks to the kids what a beautiful mommy they have.

He's tired. I know he is. He stays up late programming or flight planning or studying for another flying exam. He gets up in the morning to try to get some work in before his first appointments of the day. He spends all day talking to people, answering emails, having meetings, fitting in flight lessons, and doing work that comes with being associated with five different companies. But at the end of the day he still comes home and wrestles and gives piggyback rides to kids or takes them for walks and bike rides. If I haven't gotten the chance to go to the gym or if I have smoke coming out my ears, he offers to watch the kids while I get out of the house to work out or have a quiet moment. Usually he does it all with a smile.

He loves cleanliness and order. He always has. But he lets it roll off his back when he comes home and there are toys and books all over the floor and I've stacked things in an "I'll deal with it later" pile on the last clean surface and the kitchen is a mess from the last three meals. Instead of fighting about it, he simply jumps in and cleans up the kitchen almost every night.

He values peace and quiet. I know he does. But he lives here in what could be generously called a 1,000 square foot house with me and four screaming, laughing, wild banshees, and he tells us all the time that he's the happiest man in the world and that he loves coming home. When it's too much, he encourages us to all get out of the house together.

He is busy. He always is. But he still listens to mundane stories about my day and tries to help me with my problems. He helps figure out how to deal with the kids. He listens to their rambling stories and thousands of questions. He takes his daughter on a date every Friday. He makes time to see his friends. If I am at home and feel like I'm LOSING IT and send him an S.O.S., he comes home and tells me to take a drive or a walk around the block.

He is a good dad. One of the best. He's a good dad in part because he's a good husband. Because he's such a good role model. Because he puts his family first. Because he's a good servant and a good leader. A man like that can change the world by filling it with one well-loved, well-supported family. I know all of us agree that we are so blessed to be a family with him. Happy Father's Day, Joseph!