I once read a quote on a card that said, "A Dad is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the rules, shines with pride when you succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail." I found myself thinking how true this is in regards to my husband, and how my dad was with me. However, the one major statement that this card was missing is, "A Dad is someone who will love you unconditionally, through and through."
As I sit here and reflect on the last 332 days that flew by so fast, I am trying to digest all that has happened since our little man was allowed to relocate and call Seattle his permanent home. All the visits that initially happened every other weekend for six months straight, eventually turned into once a month visits in Seattle. And now our first summer with our "not so little one" for the majority of the time in California, is done and gone. My husband and I soaked up every minute with him. But now, the LEGOS, the trucks, the cars and all emergency vehicles are put away. The size 6 clothes are washed, folded and tucked in their drawers and his newly redesigned room has become the storage place, once again, as we prep to begin our monthly visits to Seattle.
As I think back to the last time we were in Seattle, a bittersweet feeling comes over me. It was Father's Day Weekend. Both my husband and I now have to give up this celebratory day with our dads, whom we both love and cherish immensely, BUT, we are lucky enough to have this day/weekend with our special boy - who is exactly like his dad. This was also going to be our very first Father's Day as a little family of three. This commemorative Father's Day weekend away seemed to weigh quite a bit more on my husband, than it did with me. (Sorry, DAD!!) I was super excited to go and I was especially excited to celebrate my man and his mini! I started scheming a month before we went. I had projects going on, hiding crafts, banners and posters, then packing them just so, being careful that the Mr. didn't see anything that I had up my sleeve in the suitcase that he was to bring. Thankfully, there were a couple Skype conversations between just the mini and me before my husband got home from work. Therefore, he was in on all my secrets and could lend his wise words. I wanted to give this one of a kind dad, a weekend he would never forget.
Now, if you're in a situation such as ours, you know just how hard it is, to be your own child's dad. You fight hard, you do all you can to be included and involved, you love more than ever before, and yet you are constantly put down, not included, not validated and continually belittled. It's truly a wonder how such a strong man can continue on and have any self esteem or fight left. So, I was determined to praise the love of my life and shower him with encouragement, our hearts and little gifts from his little man and myself. Not to mention, I had everyone in our immediate and extended family write words of encouragement, share wisdom, or remind this exceptional dad, of sweet memories that I turned into a book. I wanted to surprise and shower this amazing man, with something new everyday for the duration of our time in Seattle. And that I did. It ended with a surprise car show in Issaquah and then an afternoon at Snoqualmie Falls, climbing all over the rocks and creating memories with our adventures.
Surprised and shocked, were definitely the immediate expressions from our celebrated man. But, the reciprocated love and thanks, resulted in so many hugs and verbal praises to the little man. So many smiles and sweet conversations between a father and a son. Both, so proud of their role and both, so happy to celebrate this Father's Day together. Sure, our six year old had his thirteen year old attitude present and was vocal at times, but the tone was set. This one weekend was all about Dad. A Dad who holds him when he cries, scolds him when he breaks the rules, shines with pride when he succeeds, and has faith in him even when he fails. But, most of all, loves him unconditionally, through and through.