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Happy Father's Day Babe!

Tomorrow-our family celebrates you!  Who would have thought that the hippie with the tail who had hardly ever held a baby would be such a good Dad?  I did!

"Honey-We Are Pregnant!"

The first time I said that was at the little ND clinic.  You turned colors and was full of questions for 9 months.  You went from shock to excitement.  From, "How did that happen?"  As if you didn't know how babies are made.  To:  "Can I be a Dad?  What do I do?  How do I do it?  Will he know I love him?" 

You were behind the desk at the Firestone in Valentine when I shared the news and you woo hooed so loud that you scared the book keeper.  By then you knew how this happened so you went right into the celebration of getting to bring another baby home.

It was part of April Fools the 3rd time as we called our parents in the morning to play the annual, "We are pregnant" joke ...to the Dr. confirming that news at the end of the day.  I loved that your childlike excitement still spilled over.

"It's a Boy"

The first ultrasound I looked over and tears were streaming down your face and you came face to monitor with your little boy.  It was a boy!

The second I know that you secretly were hoping for a little Daddy's girl but you and Josh were thrilled with a football player.

Then with Caleb thinking that it was a family event we watched as he squirmed from underneath the probe and would swim from one side to another until we finally knew.  Josh laid on his tummy and shot the Doctor's chair across the room bashing his head into the wall.  Michael tried to climb up on the table with me and knocked the bed head down.  Caleb wouldn't let us take a picture.  (Still true)  You said, "Well he will fit in!"

Introductions

You were the first to hold all three boys.  With Joshua you heard his first cry and were with him as he was weighed and paraded in front of the Grandmothers.  He was your graduation from college present and you hardly let him go.

You held Michael and laid him on me so I could see him and then followed the nurses out of the room to stay at your side.  When the Dr. exclaimed and remeasured your shoulders twice-you beemed with pride.

Caleb's cry was troubled and you bravely stood by his side.  You held him and guarded him in his little oxygen tent and prayed for him to begin to breathe normally.

The firsts have continued through the last 20 years and you have been their holding and cheering them on.  First steps.  First words.  First falls.  First loves.

You have taught them how to ride a bike, throw a ball, tie a tie and open the door for their mom.

You taught them to keep going when they wanted to quit no matter how hard it got.  You believe in them before they believe in themselves.

You taught them the value of work, dedication and continuity and loyalty.

I loved the sound of your voice as you bathed, fed and diapered and read to them.

I loved the laughter and roughhousing at night as you wrestled and chased.

I love the sound of your laughter and banter now as men in the Troll Hole.  Sharing laughs and stories.

I love the man you are and the example you have been.  

Mostly I love the way you love our boys.

Happy Father's Day Babe.

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