A daddy like ours

Do you want to know how I know that my husband is a fantastic dad?

Other kids tell me.

No, not in those words exactly. But in their actions. You see, wherever we go, whatever we do, kids recognize that he is different. He does not sit on the grass or pool deck, watching his kids swim, he jumps in and throws them around. He does not coach them on the tricks of great baseball hits or catches from his La-Z-Boy, he is in the yard playing 500 with them, or pitching the ball to them. He does not just hear me retell him of a great piano piece that his daughter can play, he asks her time and time again to sit down and play it for him.

Without fail, when we are out and about as a family, we acquire some random child, or two, that attaches themselves to Chad. Sometimes shyly hovering nearby just enjoying the giggles from his own children, other times boldly asking, "When you are done playing with your kids, do you wanna play with me?"

It used to unnerve me. And sometimes it does still. We live in a society where interacting with children has become dangerous and taboo, especially for men. And while we know that there is little that he can do in the way of 'playing' with them, we also know that just a kind word and a smile, can make their day.

As warm and loving as I am, (*ahem), I do not attract the same following as my husband. I do not, however, have a complex about it, because I get it. Mothers are more present. Most children at least have a mama around. But so many do not have their daddy's. And even some of those who do, do not have one that knows how to be a good daddy. Chad has had a lot of practice. He is pretty darn amazing at it. It is by far, his best quality, and the job that means the most to him.

I did not really need other children to remind me of how wonderful he is. Sometimes his own children might. We know that we are blessed to have a daddy like ours.

Happy Father's Day Chad. We love you! You are one-in-a-million.