To the Dad, who didn't have to be

Fathers day doesn't seem to get enough attention as Mothers day. I am not so sure why that is. Maybe because women spend countless hours in pain, pushing a foreign object out of their body? I recently heard a co-worker talk about her birthing experience (I am traumatized, by the way), but it got me thinking about my mom and the 4 times she gave birth. I have no idea how long she was in labor for, I don't remember really thinking about it at the time. I was a self centered child, and probably was getting into trouble and loving that nobody was paying attention to it. Then it got me thinking about the dads. The dads who stand at the head of the bed, wiping the sweat, holding the cold wash cloth, and getting their hand squeezed the crap out of. The mom is the first person to hold the baby, but why? I think dads deserve a little more credit. 
Especially mine.

Growing up, I bet you had other plans for your life. I bet you didn't expect to start dating a girl that already had a kid. I bet you didn't even think you would like this girl, let alone her kid. I bet you didn't plan to be a teenage father. I bet you had other plans for your Friday nights. And I know you didn't expect to be in Burger King when this kid peed on the chair. At 19, I bet you thought your life would have taken a different route. At 19 I would have ran away, far away. But, 23 years later I am grateful that you didn't run.

It takes a special guy to take in a crazy two and a half year old. To put his own life on hold for this mom and her kid. To agree to forever with her and her 25 pound baggage. To give up your chromed out ride for a car seat and diapers. A special guy, with a big heart. Someday I hope to find a guy who's half the man you are. 


Theres a song, by Brad Paisley, and it reminds me of you every time I hear it:

When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new

It always winds up feeling more like a job interview

My mama used to wonder if she'd ever meet someone

Who wouldn't find out about me and then turn around and run

I met the man I call my dad when I was five years old

He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go

A few months later I remember lying there in bed

I overheard him pop the question and I prayed that she'd say yes

And then all of a sudden

Ah it seemed so strange to me

How we went from something's missing

To a family

Lookin' back all I can say

About all the things he did for me

Is I hope I'm at least half the dad

That he didn't have to be

'Cause he didn't have to be

Thank you Dad: for working late hours, for eating cold dinners, for getting up at odd hours in the night, for washing cars inside and out, for synching cell phones, for moving trips (multiple times), for dealing with excessive estrogen, for letting us watch TV during the game, for going to Backstreet boys, for bicycle rides, for getting us our first cars (and not getting mad when we wrecked them), for not caring that your christmas present surprise was ruined, and for pretending to like my onion filled spaghetti sauce.

But most of all, thank you for opening up your heart to a little two year old hellion and for never treating me any different. For encouraging me to shoot for the stars, for never having any doubts, and for always loving me despite different DNA. I am not sure I would be where I am today if it wasn't for you.  Thanks for giving me three little playmates, and for always making my mom happy.

I don't think money could buy a better Dad, and if it could, I don't think we could afford you. Happy Fathers Day Dad.