Happy Father's Day

This is one of my most favorite shots that I have taken recently. I have an emotional response when I see it, and I just love that about photography. My husband and my daughter's relationships mean the world to me, because I grew up without a dad. I don't know my dad at all, and I have only seen him a half a dozen times in my whole life. There were times as a little girl that I longed to have a relationship with him. I remember writing him letters asking him if we could meet a couple of times a year or at least write letters back and forth. There wasn't much of a response (if any) even after I made multiple requests. I think at some point, I became numb and accepted the fact that I wasn't ever going to have that relationship. However, there were many years that I was extremely bitter and mad at the world for having been dealt this fatherless deck of cards, but there came a day when I softened up again and began to melt when I saw daddies and daughters together. So you can only imagine the emotions that I am frequently flooded with when I see my own daughters and their daddy. It is almost too much to handle at times.

I absolutely adore watching my husband with my girls. He is amazing. He is incredibly "present" with them, and will drop whatever it is he is doing to go to them. He is patient. He is kind. He is strong, and he is goofy. He is so much more then I could ever put into words, and I love him for that. I love that I can't put him into a hallmark card and call it good!

I have waited a long time to experience what I am now experiencing with him and my daughters, and it was worth every day, month, and year that I spent longing for something that I am sure would have never been as good as this is. Not even close.

We are so blessed. So very blessed. Happy Father's Day, Jonathan. I love you.

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Since it is Father's Day, it wouldn't be right for me to not wish my mom a Happy Fathers' Day, too. Once I was old enough to appreciate how hard she worked to raise us three girls on her own, I began to realize that she should be acknowledged on this day, also! She didn't necessarily fill the void of me not having a dad because there really isn't anything like a daddy, but she did the best she could and I admire her for that. I am so spoiled with Jonathan that I will complain when he is out of town for a couple of days or even when he comes home a few hours later than usual. I can't imagine being on my own for all those years with three girls and hardly any support system.

So, thank-you Mom for all that you have done and Happy Father's Day. I love you.

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Lastly, I need to mention my wonderful father-n-law on this special day. I said earlier that is was worth all those years to wait to see my husband and daughter's relationships, but before they were born, and before I was able to experience Jonathan as a dad, I was able to experience his dad as a dad. That too was worth all those years of waiting. He is an amazing man, and a huge part of our lives, and I am very thankful for that for so many reasons. I love seeing him be a dad to my husband and his sister, and I love the void that he is filling in my own life. I also love seeing him with the girls and his role as grandfather. That's another relationship that I didn't grow up with, so watching my girls with their grandparents is very special, too.

Happy Father's Day, Dad! I love you.

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Here's to fatherhood. Cheers!