Father In-Law

Dear Dad,

I thought long and hard about what to write here. I have decided to just list out my favorite things about you.

My favorite thing about you is how selfless you are. You go out of your way to serve all of us. You pick up our favorite things to eat at the store, and bring it to us at just the right moment. You miss important events to babysit sick grandkids. You stand off to the side of the really fun stuff we do just to hold the littlest one who can't participate. You clean up our messes so we can relax when we visit. No one ever asks you to do it, you just do. You're just so thoughtful and we love you for it.

Another of my favorites is just how safe we all feel with you around. You are the gentlest giant I have ever met. You are the perfect mix of strength and gentleness.

You make us so comfortable, we always feel like we can relax with you around. (Especially Tella)

I love that you wrestle around with my kids, and that at a moments notice can take on one of your sons and wrestle them to the ground. I love that you remember everyone's name, and every detail that they every told you. I love how friendly you are, and that you know someone everywhere we go.... and if by some off-chance you didn't know somebody, you make a new friend and leave with their phone number.

I love that you leave yourself annoying notes about how to put up Christmas lights, and will ride the imaginary bicycle in the window upon request. I love how you make us all laugh. I love the stories of you that James tells me from when he was younger, like the time some kids toilet papered your house and when they thought they got away they found you sitting in the back of their van. And the time you put up a reward for a stolen bike or something, only to have the thief return it and you confront them with that knowledge. I love that you are good at everything, and that no one ever forgets you once they've met you. I love it that we know you are looking forward to JD's sports career, and we just know you will be actively involved in whatever sport he chooses (obviously football!).

I love that all my friends are jealous that you are MY father-in-law!!!!!!

But the #1 favorite thing I love about you is this:

Your amazing son that is your exact clone!

Let me explain. It's because of you & the decisions you made in your life that your son is the man he is today. Because you chose Christ, James had your example to follow. It's because you loved and provided for your family that James does too. It's because you are a strong manly man not afraid to fight for his family, that James is too. Because you so selflessly love & prefer your wife, James does too. Because you hung Christmas lights every year, our house is beautifully decorated. Because you overbuy at the grocery store, James does that too.

Bottom line, I love the example you are as a son, father, and grandfather. You set a high standard, and I'm grateful for it!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Larissa