Today is your day. The day that you get to sit back, relax, and soak up all the love around you. A special day carved out of the year just for you -- for our little family to remind you how loved you are, how much we appreciate ALL you do and how incredibly thankful we are to have such an amazing father (husband) like you.
We do a pretty good job of telling you -- and showing you -- throughout the year how great you are and how loved you are. But today, when you look around at us, I hope you see it...No, I hope you FEEL it. I hope you feel how our worlds would stop if you weren't in them. I hope you are overcome with joy knowing that this family loves you and are so thankful to have a dad as great as you are. You are constant, you are admirable, you are incredible...
Since the boys were at their mom's house, and the girls were at their dad's, we woke up to a fairly quiet house that morning. Chris got up that morning with a little work to do and left the house relatively early. I woke up earlier than normal with butterflies already in my stomach. I managed to keep busy with my normal morning routine and a quick trip to the store for belts for the boys.
By late morning everyone was back at home. It was the most beautiful day of the year (so far) and the kids took advantage of it outside. Other than the hand towels prominently displayed in the master bathroom, you never would have suspected a wedding was going to take place that day. The song of a slamming front door and kids giggling danced through the house on the breeze from the wide open windows.
But their was a wedding that day. Our wedding.
There is something fun about the element of surprise. No one had a clue what we were up to that day. Not our parents, not our friends, and certainly not our kids. It's a plan we had had in place for nearly a month, and with the exception of our photographer disguised as one of our best friends, no one was none the wiser.
We didn't start out planning our wedding like this. Originally we wanted a traditional wedding, with a pastor reading our vows, our parents in attendance, and fancy dresses. But the more we started planning, the less meaningful it was quickly becoming. We thought our kids wanted the "normal wedding" -- as they so called it -- only to find out the only thing they really wanted was the party.
So, after a wonderful conversation with my Aunt Leah, the plans changed. We had decided to go to the courthouse -- just the six of us -- and exchange our vows in front of the Justice of the Peace.
Everyone had brand new outfits for the occasion, right down to Bryce's skull-and-crossbone tie. (Those of you that know him, know how fitting it is.) The girls were in cute polka-dotted dresses and each wore a flower in their hair. The boys -- all three of them -- had crisply ironed shirts and coordinating ties. I wore a blue satin blouse and black pencil skirt (to which Bryce affectionately commented on my resemblance to Erkel). We were a good looking bunch. And we looked like we belonged together.
About 12:30 on Wednesday, March 31st, we all piled in the truck and headed to the courthouse in New Lebanon. The ride was only 30 minutes but felt like 3 hours. I was anxious and excited and the drive was nearly stress-free. No worries about DJs, bridesmaids missing jewelry, groomsmen drinking too much in the parking lot, or what time the cakelady was arriving. It was just us, our happy kids, our photographer, and our marriage certificate.
We were greeted by the judge's bailiff, Amy, who showed us into the courtroom. None of the kids had ever seen a courtroom -- however I'm pretty sure it won't be the last visit for at least 2 of them -- and were excited to be in such a cool place. Amy explained how the ceremony would unfold and moments later the judge came into the room.
He was an older gentleman with glasses and white hair. He wore a dark green robe and a tender look on his face. And although he kept our ceremony serious, you could tell he was a family man with a soft heart.
As the ceremony began, I remember looking at Chris thanking God that he put him in my life, and the girls' lives. I remember thinking "gosh, I'm so lucky to have all of this for the rest of my life". For richer or poorer, I have 4 incredible kids, I get kitchen-table-conversations with my 17 year old son about his girlfriend, I get the joyous phone call of our oldest daughter when she's giving us the news of our first grandchild. In sickness and in health, there will be deaths to mourn through, births to celebrate, heartaches to heal and disappointment to defeat. Until death do us part, we will stand by one another happily traveling down God's path He laid for us.
All the days of our life.
Although it only lasted 5 minutes (tops), it will forever be etched in my mind. It was absolutely perfect. We stripped it down to what was important to the most important people. It was sentimental, it was intimate, it was romantic.
If you were to ask me what a typical day is like in our house with our little Half Dozen, the first thing I would tell you is "chaos". Mad chaos. Sometimes we try to organize it, but other times it's just flat outta control.
Then, I'd tell you how much love we have trapped in the 4 walls of our 2-story brick house. I would tell you about our red-headed-freckled son that has an uncanny resemblance to the Cookie Monster when he eats. I would tell you about our 11-year-old daughter who we believe secretly has a Sports Agent for her softball career. Then I'd tell you about our girly-girl who usually has her nose shoved in the binding of a book, reading to her baby, Molly. And I'd tell you about our super-star quarterback 10-year-old with a laser rocket arm. I'd tell you about how the 4 of them run thru our house like excited dogs searching for an open door. I'd tell you how loud it gets in our house from the laughter -- typically following one of the boys, or Taylor, farting. I'd tell you how we sit down to eat dinner together nearly every night and how my most favorite part of the day is when we tuck them in and get hugs and kisses..... x 4.
But then I'd tell you about the man that holds everything together. I'd tell you about how he works endless hours some days to make sure our house runs like a well oiled machine. I'd tell you about how he spends his "day off" doing way more housework than he should, without ever complaining, to make sure we can have quality Half Dozen Time when I get home from work. I'd explain that my passion for photography would never be pursued without the love and support from my best friend....even if it means he has to bear a bigger load for the next 2 months. I'd tell you about a man that gives his unbiased, genuine advice that nearly always follows the rule of "doing the right thing". I'd tell you how my heart warms to see Harley snuggled in his lap asleep. Or how I fill with pride to hear him and Brenden talk football at the dinner table. Or how adorable he is when Bryce is following him around the house wanting to help him with any chore he might be doing, like his very own personal assistant. And of course there's how he gets all sweaty passing the softball (or football these days) with Taylor in the backyard....then proceeds to give me a big 'ol (very sweaty!) bear hug.
I would tell you how he chuckles at me for leaving the closet light on. Every. Single. Day. I'd tell you how he has stood by me thru some of the darkest days of my life and how he's influenced me to be an amazing person. I would tell you how he loves my freckles and kissing me on the nose. I'd tell you how he tries to prevent me from burning myself when I cook dinner, and cleans up after me while I cook. I'd tell you how my days are sweeter and colors are brighter because of his smile. I'd tell you how I still get butterflies when his name pops up on my phone.
Sunday was his day. His day to be taken to breakfast, sit in the A/C, and be catered to all day long -- even if he did have to mow the grass. And that's exactly what we did. Because nothing says "we love you" and "thanks dad" like a glass of sweet tea and burgers on the grill. Which seems so inadequate for what he gives to all of us every other day of the year.
Happy Father's Day.
