Father's Day

Father's Day can be an especially difficult time when you've lost your dad. Memories flood in, from the simple joys of spending time together to the profound impact he had on your life. 

The day serves as a poignant reminder of his absence, amplifying the sense of loss and longing. It's a time when the ache of missing him feels particularly sharp, wishing you could share just one more moment with him. Yet amidst the sadness, there's also gratitude for the love and guidance he gave, shaping the person you are today. 

Each Father's Day becomes a bittersweet mix of cherished memories and the undeniable sadness of his absence.  

Despite the heaviness that Father's Day brings without my dad, I find solace and joy in seeing my husband step into his role as a father with such grace and love. 

He embodies everything I cherished about my own dad—patience, kindness, and a deep commitment to our family. Watching him nurture and guide our daughters fills my heart with immense gratitude. His presence not only comforts me but also reminds me that love endures, even in the face of loss.

I first met Rob in high school, and we quickly became inseparable. We married in 2008 when I was just 18, while he was working as an EMT and I as an accountant, until he joined the Coast Guard in 2012.

He's such a great dad to our girls, reading with them every night and saying prayers.  He also supports them in whatever they do, which for horse dads is a much bigger job.  I think this day on Cracker Trail, he met us at water stops every day to bring one of the girls something they needed.

He's also braved the other family vacations, although I think he likes some types more than others.

He has shown our girls by example, that husbands can cook and do laundry, too, not just wives.

Rob has not only been a loving husband and father but has also been a role model for our daughters in breaking traditional gender roles. He's shown them firsthand that husbands can cook and do laundry just as skillfully as wives. His actions speak volumes, teaching our girls that partnership in a family means sharing responsibilities and supporting each other's aspirations. It's a lesson in equality and respect that they'll carry with them into their own lives, thanks to the example set by their dad.

He has struck a delicate balance in parenting our daughters, providing them with everything they could want while steadfastly avoiding spoiling them rotten—a challenge many parents face. His approach combines generosity with wisdom, ensuring they grow up appreciating the value of things earned through effort and gratitude. By setting clear boundaries and teaching them the importance of responsibility, Rob instills in our girls a sense of humility and perspective that will serve them well in life. 

Happy Father's Day to Rob, whose love and guidance enrich our daughters' lives every day