Letters to our Fathers

Dad-

I love you- thank you so much for being the best Dad I could ask for.  You are always full of good advice about everything.  There seems to be nothing you don't know.  I didn't fully realize how talented you were until talking about it one day with Chris before we got married, it finally dawned on me that not everyone's dad or husband can:
- an build anything (out of anything), know every single type of tool and how to use it
can fix any plumbing problem, can single-handedly finish an unfinished basement,
-design and build a deck, storage shed, and dog house (a little replica of our house!),
-hold a patent
-be a math genius (how you were still able to help me with advanced calculus 20 years after taking a class on it I'll never know- I've already forgotten everything!)
-an excellent artist
-amazing at all things business related
-athletic
-musical
-excellent cook and baker
-hilarious
You are truly amazing!

With all your many talents I think what I love about you most is that you love us- I don't think I've ever doubted that family came first.  I remember when you were working multiple jobs when I was young to support our family- thank you.  Thanks for sacrificing all of your free time to make sure our family had what we needed, and when you finally had a break I never remember you telling me to leave you alone, or let you rest, you were always there.

One philosophy of yours that I love and will remember forever is one about money and family.  We were heading down to Disney World for vacation, but I know it took a lot of saving and planning and cutting back.  You told us how Christmas that year would be small because of the trip, but you said that you didn't want to die leaving behind a whole bunch of money, you wanted to spend it along the way having fun as a family.  You taught me to save, but you also taught me that sometimes it's more important to spend and invest in memories.  I hope to do the same with my kids, that they will look back and be happy with the experiences and memories we created as a family.

You are always my best example of how hard work, determination, and trust and faith in the Lord can overcome anything.  I know your life has not been easy, but it makes me love you even more knowing that your successes as a husband and father have been a deliberate choice- you have taught me to expect more of myself and to always push harder to become better. 

I still remember something a young women's leader told me once.  After you had finished conducting a sacrament meeting she came up to me and told me she loved it when you spoke- your voice, she said, was comforting, forgiving, and gentle.  I totally agree- while you have plenty of fight, competitiveness, and passion one thing I love about you is your gentleness and kindness.

So thank you again for being you.  Thank you for teaching me what to look for in a husband and father for my kids, and to not settle for less than the best.  I can't imagine who I'd be without you.  I love you Dad!

Love, Sarah

Dad, on this Father’s day I want to share some reasons why I am thankful to have such a great Dad:

1.       Thanks for putting the family first. I know that your dream would have been to teach art, but you sacrificed to support our family doing honorable work that has helped thousands of people over the years.

2.       Thanks for an appreciation of nature. I love the oak trees in Houston but I really miss the mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, and the beauty of the outdoors.

3.       Thanks for supporting me in the things that I/we did growing up. I always thought that you loved sports as much as us kids, but I remember the first time I realized that you learned all of the rules and attended a billion sporting events just because we were participating.

4.       Thanks for Saturday adventures. Now that I am working I really do appreciate Saturdays as a time to do fun things with my family.

5.       Thanks for spending time with me individually. Among the many things that we did together some of my favorite memories include getting milkshakes at the ice cream company for seat belt check rewards and other special occasions, drumming on the dashboard, swimming with you at Twain Harte lake and attack of the killer toes, going on scout trips, and playing with Lego’s while listening to the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack.

6.       Thanks for supporting me in school. Now having a Master’s Degree and a great job reminds me of my beginnings when you would help me with projects (usually the night before), English papers, studying for exams, etc.

7.       Thanks for teaching me to appreciate music and the arts. After quitting choir at Rose Avenue because Mom was the choir teacher, I learned to love singing the hymns with you in church. And even though I never cultivated the drawing/painting genes I did learn to appreciate art and loved to go to the museums in Denmark.

8.       Thanks for teaching me how to ride a bike and drive a car. I still remember riding in the station wagon on your lap as a little kid and thinking that I was really driving. It wasn’t until years later that I realized you had your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and controlled the pedals the whole time.

9.       Thanks for helping me appreciate good food. I hope I will pass that on to our kids so that we never have problems with eating disorders. Plus I remember on many occasions we would all eat our portion of dessert and then eat yours. We were little pigs – but with how much I like dessert I realize that was no small sacrifice!

10.   Thanks for teaching me how to treat women. It is surprising how it almost seems like a lost art these days.

11.   Thanks for teaching me the gospel. Following your example and honoring the Priesthood, going on a mission, and getting married in the temple have forever changed my life for the better.

12.   And now that I am a Dad – thank you for teaching me by example how to be a good dad to my kids.

Love, Chris