I’ll just put it out there: my husband had some pretty big shoes to fill.
Before he came along, I wasn’t sure I’d ever meet anyone quite like the man my mom had met 35+ years ago {who promptly asked her to marry him 4 days later}.
Sure, there are plenty of great guys out there {I’m related to a few of them}, but you know…when your dad rocks the world as stunningly as our dad did…you start to wonder. Will anyone ever really measure up?
{I’m proud to answer that question with a resounding “yes”!}
You see, my father is an astonishingly amazing man.
And what makes him that much more amazing is the many lives he has touched. I am constantly hearing from people {when they find out who my parents are} how much they love/respect/enjoy {insert any accolade here} my mom and dad.
They’re a dynamite team!
And my dad…he’s just plain lovable.
The fact that he’s a walking encyclopedia makes him that much more interesting to engage in conversation with {his strong South African accent simply adds to the experience}, but boy…this guy is easy to love!
He’s cool.
{Just look at that beard}
He has since lost the sexy beard {ahem} and finally parted with that bushy moustache. Now that we’re teaching him to dress like a “cool pastor” {ha ha}…sans substantial facial hair, donning black shirt and jeans, spiked hair, the works…we’re finally able to heal. We never knew our daddy had a top lip! {after years of our begging – and my mom’s heavy hinting – in an effort to get my father to shave his moustache, we threatened to do it for him while he slept. He reluctantly agreed and my mom got to see his upper lip for the first time. Ever. After 30+ years of marriage, he bared all.
{And it’s cute. So he kept it. Amen}.
Where was I…?
He is quite possibly the most gracious man I’ve ever met {and my hubby will agree!}
He has a quiet strength and the most refreshing air of humility – mingled with confidence – about him.
His never-ending love for learning inspires me.
His faithful, passionate love for our mom blesses me.
His extravagant love for Jesus motivates me.
He unassuming love for people challenges me.
He is an encourager of the underdog. A defender of the weak. And constant teacher to those willing to learn {which, as a 13-18 year old, I cannot say I was}.
He is one of the most stellar human beings I’ve ever had the honor of knowing {not to mention, getting to call him “daddy”}
But I would have to say that one of my absolute favorite things about my dad…
is the papa he is to my kids.
To say they adore him would be a tremendous understatement.
Thanks for spending almost the entire trip up North drawing detailed little sketches on the magnetic doodle board to entertain the 3 year old in the car. You rock.
We love you, daddy/papa!
