Father's Day...

is coming up. Makes me think a lot about fathers. Growing up, I had multiple step fathers... didn't know my own father, and each of said step fathers were abusive in differing ways. I learned from them that I can't trust men. Not a fun thing to learn as a young kid. It took me years to learn to trust again.

Thankfully...

Because of what I learned as a young woman, I knew what I did and didn't want in my life as an adult. I wanted an honest, sincere, kind, loving, funny, patient, religious, strong, secure, happy man in my life.

AND...

for the past 26 years, that's what I have lived with. How grateful I am for Wayne. He is an amazing husband, and an amazing father. My best friend!

He is the daddy that changed lots of diapers, got Melissa to sleep when this new mom couldn't! Couldn't wait to cuddle his baby girl every day after work! Spent hours at the park because Melissa wanted to swing... more daddy, more! Read her hours and hours of her favorite stories... and now that she has kids... sent her all the favorite books for her to read to her little ones.

He stayed up all night with a very sick Tylan... actually slept in a special tent with him so he could breath better... Took Ty on so many hikes, campouts, adventures, and loved every minute! Taught Ty to appreciate music, to love books, and love learning.

He met Kayli before I did, and though he was unsure how he felt about adoption - the minute he picked up that tiny Kuna Indian baby... he was in love. He is Kayli's number one fan still today.

Sat at the INS office day after day while I was stuck in India... paperwork was done, so I flew to pick up Levi... yet paperwork wasn't done. Wayne's persistence finally paid off, and picked us up on Thanksgiving Day 1998... met his little Indian man for the first time, and loves being his dad! Loves to teach Levi guy stuff. Watching them work side by side with each other is fun.

Is incredibly patient with Colton... loves playing chess with him. Helps Colton stay calmer, teaches him to play fair, and loves laughing with this funny kid!

And... because he's been an incredible father... he's an even greater grandfather! His nick name is Grandpa Ducks... because when Rachel wants to go see ducks, she grabs grandpa's hand and he goes. Alden too has grandpa wrapped around his fingers! Where the grandkids are.... his heart is also.

So...

As we are nearing Father's Day... I am grateful... not only for the lessons I learned growing up, but the lessons I learn as I watch my husband - be an incredible father, and grandfather.