Yesterday was Father's Day. The day we honor our fathers. The day our children honor theirs. The day we remember that without fathers, we would not be mothers.
In my house, this day can be a little odd.
You see, my daughter's father is dead. He died when she was 3 1/2, and she has very little memory of him.
Quite frankly, this is probably a good thing. He wasn't exactly a stellar example of humankind.
My sons' father is NOT dead, but for all the time they spend with him, he might as well be. If you ask Z-man about his dad, he will arch one eyebrow and say: "Who?"
This makes me sad. Not because I particularly like my ex, but because he made his bed with linens made of broken promises, inflexibility and distrust, and now he is forced to lie in it. Without the love and devotion of his children.
My stepdaughter's father is my husband. She worships the ground he walks on.
In fact, it is precisely this man -- my third husband -- who actually takes the role of father.
For his child ... and for mine.
It is this man who drives carpool for my daughter.
It is this man who rushes to the aid of my sons when their cars malfunction.
It is this man who accompanies me to every cheer competition and football game and graduation.
It is this man who treats my children as his own.
It is this man who my kids mean when they refer to "my parents."
It is this man who my daughter cheerfully wished a happy Father's Day yesterday, knowing that, although he had no part in her conception, he is indeed her dad.
And it is THIS man who stands by my side as we parent OUR children.
I don't know what I'd do without him.
That is a lovely tribute to your your husband.Embee is dad to my girls and has always been there for them. Their own father played no role in their life and has not been able to develop any relationship with them as adults. He never did understand about putting children first and self second!
Posted by: chrisb | June 22, 2009 at 09:44 AM
Thank you for that. Step-parents are often wonderful and rarely get the kudos they deserve. Congrats on finding a gem!
Posted by: Katie | June 22, 2009 at 10:02 AM
You are very lucky to have found such a wonderful man/father for your children. This is a great tribute.
Posted by: justmylife | June 22, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Wonderful tribute. So great for you - and for the kids.
Posted by: Daisy | June 22, 2009 at 11:03 AM
I guess the third time was the charm. ;) A lovely tribute to a wonderful father and husband.
Posted by: Joyce-Anne | June 22, 2009 at 11:30 AM
That is incredible sweet. A beautiful tribute for a very special man.
Posted by: Momisodes | June 22, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Awwwwwww!!!! What a fantastic post, and a lovely tribute to WonderHubby. He truly is wonderful!!
Posted by: Kaytabug | June 22, 2009 at 03:38 PM
Third time's a charm, right? Well done, WonderHubby. And well done, you, for finding the guy.
Posted by: lceel | June 22, 2009 at 03:47 PM
This is a great post. I liked the part "he made his bed with linens of broken promises". I don't mean that I like that he did that but the words came out so well written by you. Happy Father's Day to Wonder Hubby. And many more!
Posted by: junebug | June 22, 2009 at 11:16 PM
I am so glad you have him. He sounds like a good man.
Posted by: Momo Fali | June 23, 2009 at 09:17 AM
You gotta love when things manage to work themselves out in the end. The road getting there wasn't easy, but you most certainly deserved to find that pot of gold at the end of it.
Posted by: Burgh Baby | June 23, 2009 at 10:46 AM
I know exactly what you're talking about. I have that same dad. He adopted me when he and my mom got married and raised me from the age of 5. He IS daddy in every sense of the word to me.
Posted by: Krissa | June 23, 2009 at 11:12 AM
He sounds golden. Happy Father's Day to him.
Posted by: Huckdoll | June 23, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Totally hear you. Sooooo much I could say on this topic, but can't, here. Lovely post, just lovely. How nice to know you got it right the second time round!
Posted by: Ilona | June 24, 2009 at 10:40 AM
yes. He's their dad.
I'm aware of several of them, too.
Posted by: Pamela | June 25, 2009 at 10:18 AM