Father's Day

Yesterday was Father's Day. I've been thinking about it today. about the men in my life and their impact on me. 

I think about my Heavenly Father. I sometimes forget that while he is God, he is also the father of my spirit. That's a pretty big deal. My relationship with Him means everything to me. I discuss all the big and little things with him, and I value what he says to me. I try to do what he asks. He has blessed me more than I can even recognize or express. He knows when to tell me no, or not now. He knows the best gifts to give to me. He is a perfect father, and I'm very happy to be His daughter. I look forward to the day when I see Him again. After a nice long life, of course, though!

I think about my own earthly father. My dad has given me the most important part of my life that I cherish the very most. He has given me the opportunity to have the gospel of Jesus Christ. He chose to serve a mission. It would have been plenty easy for him to not have gone. I feel like that mission helped anchor him in the gospel in a real way. He came home and married my mom, and they have always valued religion and made sure it was a part of our lives. My dad is supportive. I remember a time when I was 19 and I was struggling to figure some things out. He and I went on a drive. I often went on rides with my mom, but not so often with my dad. We drove and talked, and he was supportive of what I was making decisions on. It helped me a lot. I actually remember that moment with my dad quite often. Matt and I have gone through a lot of crazy things, and my dad supports us. He accepts our path we've chosen. I really appreciate that about him. Another memory was when I was a kid. I had been throwing a mega tantrum. It was pretty awful, and my dad had just come home from work. My mom had left the room where I was throwing a fit, and my dad squeezed in past me, where I was sitting against the door, trying to keep it closed. I remember that he didn't get mad at me. He sat and talked to me until I calmed down. I was really young, but I remember that.  I remember the patience he showed me in that moment. I know my dad loves me. I know that he cares about who I am and the things I do. I love my dad.

When I married, I got to add another father. My father-in-law. I am really lucky and happy to have him in my life. Matt and his dad have a similar personality. I like that about both of them. My father-in-law is easy to talk to. I like hearing his views of the world and being taught about things that he has learned. He is also a great listener. I feel like he values what I have to say and is willing to listen to any stories the kids want to share. That means a lot to me. His listening to all of us is one of the things I appreciate most about him. I appreciate that he makes sure McKay can come and help him fix the sprinklers. It means so much to McKay and, in turn, makes me as a mother really grateful and happy. He is quick to offer us help or anything, really, if there is a way he can help us out, he does. I am so happy to have married into the family that I did.

Last but not least isn't my father figure at all. It's Matt. Matt is a great father, and although he doesn't parent me [thank goodness!], he is fun to parent with. I remember teaching him how to change McKay's diapers in the hotel in Virginia. There were a few times of him getting sprayed, but he figured it out quick! He took care of nighttime feedings with both kids when they were babies, and then would get up to go to work because I would get so depressed when I did it. When I was going through IVF, he took on a lot with the kids. They got used to Dad being the one to go to; they still do many times. Or they just know he will be more likely to say yes. I don't know which. We mess up all the time with parenting. All. The. Time. But there is no one else I'd rather mess it up with than Matt. I appreciate his willingness to work hard at being a father.

I appreciate these men and the way they all help me to be a better me. I appreciate how they help support me as I am a mother. I am grateful for Father's Day to show these men how we all appreciate them.