You guys get the same picture, because well.. just because.
Dear Rob,
Look at our crazy, unpredictable and completely amazing little life we have. We both work full time, have a new home that is about 35% fully moved-in, friends & family events out of town once, twice, sometimes three times in a month, hobbies, sports, everything that is Sydni and then each other at the end of the day. We're adventurers and wanderers on a Saturday and hermits the next. We're in hyper speed sometimes, and other days seem as though we sprouted out from dedicated spots on the couch or recliner.
This is us. This is why I love us.
I thought a lot about what I could say to you that would be appropriate for Father's Day, and of course the obvious came to mind: Sydni. The obvious reality that you're not her biological father stands to make little difference when it comes to the relationship you have formed with her. It seems like the past almost 4 years now have flown by, but when I look at you and Sydni, I know that the type of bond you're building with her is timeless. I count myself very blessed knowing that she essentially has 2 moms and 2 dads who love her to the ends of the earth and back, each in our own separate ways, and for that, from you, I'll never have words to show you how much that really means.
I really don't know if otherwise, Syd would have the framework at her fingertips to learn practical mechanical skills, or those more involved, at that. It fills my heart beyond measure to watch the two of you "working" together on a motor, or fixing something as a team. You are always so quick and eager to oblige her curious nature, taking things apart and finding out how they work. She looks up to you as the obvious answer when something isn't working, or a project needs to be done. You have given her that security, and are teaching her to develop it for herself. She loves you, and I love you even more for how she loves you and you love her in return.
Beyond that though, we have two dogs who I don't need to tell you test my patience more often than not. As silly as it sounds, when we first got together [& thank my mom for this one], I paid close attention to how you treated Sasha, as I've always found that indicative of how a man will treat other humans, namely his family and his children. She was just as unruly and goofy then as she is now, and you've always loved her in spite of it. Furbabies are kids, too, and the perfect opportunity for me to see your compassion, patience and willingness to deal with the hands-on, dirty stuff. Seriously. You probably didn't know until now that I noticed that, but I did. It was an early, comforting sign to me that there was something I would be sorely losing if I didn't pursue you the way you pursued me.
Now, as we near the day we'll be married, and eventually parenting more children of our own, I need you to know, to truly download, just how much you mean to me as the man that will fill both of those roles: husband, and then father.
I am not always an easily-lovable person, and I know that. I'm stubborn, passionately resolute, moody at times, determined, impatient and mostly unconcerned with the bells and whistles of magazine-ad ladylikeness. You seem to, for some mysterious reason, love me in spite of those things.. unruly hair and all. I don't have to wonder if I or our family will ever become your second priority. I see what you do for us, and what you've already invested in just the four short years we've been together. I hope you know that I am in this 100% with you, and I count myself blessed to get to share this lifetime with you.
You are already such a wonderful father to Sydni. It baffles me, given that you and Sydni met when she was 3. You jumped right in, as though it was a silent, mutual understanding between you and Syd that you would both learn it along the way, on the fly, but together. She gravitated to you from the beginning. I don't doubt at all that kids are able to see sometimes what we want to believe but often guard ourselves from accepting. They see it immediately. And they react. Sydni has always wanted to spend time with you - do what you're doing, fix what you're fixing, understanding whatever tinkering project you have at hand. She wants to power wash cars with you, and yet knows that you'll sit and read a bedtime story when it's all done. I have zero doubts that as we grow together and are hopefully blessed with more children, that they'll grow into the type of person you are - loving openly and wholly, and seeing the best in every situation.
Thank you for what you've already given to me, to Sydni and to us as a little family. I cannot wait to celebrate another year of fatherhood with you this year, and every year thereafter. You're my person, and you're our person. Sydni and I love you to the moon & back. Happy Father's Day!
xo| cmd
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