Thankful for the Fathers in My Life & $50 Snapfish Giveaway
WARNING: If you’re name is John and you are related to me by marriage (i.e. you’re my husband or father-in-law) or if your name is Tom and you are my dad… quit reading. Like, close the screen now. Stat. Pronto. Immediately. Or, at least table the reading of this post and wait until after Father’s Day to open this particular page back up. But for real… don’t keep reading unless you like surprises RUINED FOR YOU.
If you are anyone else other than those three specific men that fall into the aforementioned groups… you may keep reading. 🙂
Good, now that we got that out of the way… let’s get to it.
I realize this might sound cliche or whathaveyou, but I feel truly blessed by the fathers I have in my life. This is something I truly NEVER want to take for granted as I know that that’s not always how it goes.
First, there’s my dad.
As I get older, the more and more I admire my dad. He’s one of the most loyal, caring, and devoted men I’ve ever know. He will literally drop everything and do anything he can to help me and my sister. He’s so hardworking and has always sacrificed so much for his family.
He’s had it tough… the death of my mom was really hard on him, but he always tried to be strong and be the firm foundation for us through our own personal tragedy. As I think back over the years for all that he’s done for me, I can’t help but feel humbled… and I can’t help but feel like I owe him so much.
When I was younger, I feel like I took him for granted, and I have told myself as I’ve gotten older that I will try to never do that ever again. I want to always remind him how much I love and appreciate him and all that he’s done for me.
To see him become a grandfather to my nephew and now my own children has been such a blessing. To see him play with them (he is a kid in an adult body FOR SURE) is awesome and brings me SO much joy. To see his relationship with his grandkids is the best.
When I met my husband John, I waited to see what my dad thought of him because my dad’s approval meant so much… turns out the two of them are basically besties. Hahah! But really… they get along so well and I see so much of John in my dad and vice versa. My dad really taught me what chivalry looks like and what it looks like for a man to treat a woman with love and respect and devotion.
Then there’s my father-in-law. When I met first met my father-in-law, obviously he wasn’t my father-in-law yet, I immediately knew why my John was such a good man. His dad is truly the epitome of a southern gentleman. He works hard, he’s respectful, he’s smart, he’s devoted, he’s selfless and generous… he is truly a servant of the Lord and shows what it looks like to live and follow Jesus.
My husband had such an amazing example of what a good husband and father looks like and learned so much from his dad. I feel so thankful that my father-in-law raised his son the way he did because I feel like I won the husband lottery. 🙂
To see my father-in-law become a grandfather has been such a blessing, too! He’s so fun and playful with Lilly and Lilly ADORES him. And to see him begin to bond with Amos has been so much fun to watch.
I always want him to know how respected, appreciated and cared for he is!
And then there’s the man in my life… my husband, John. The start of our relationship was a little unconventional, but from the moment I met him, he impressed me so much. He has a work ethic unlike anyone I’ve ever met. He has the best sense of humor and such a smart, quick wit. He’s thoughtful and super hunky, if I do say so myself. 🙂
And, if I thought I loved him a whole lot. And then I saw him become a father. Watching him become a father has only made me fall more and more in love with him every day.
He is an AMAZING dad. Lilly adores him and I know Amos will only grow to be the same way. He loves his kids fiercely and will do anything for them. He plays silly games with Lilly, loves to read to her, run with her, teach her, pray with her… you name it. The man will do anything for his kids.
These amazing fathers in my life, from my own father to my husband, all have made such an impact on me and my kids. While I know for a fact, that I can never truly thank them enough for all they do and really show them how much I appreciate them and how much their kids love them… For Father’s Day, I love being able to give them gifts that are personal and meaningful.
I feel like dads in general are hard to shop for, but in so many ways, I feel like shopping for people who have made such an impact on my life is even HARDER!
For Father’s Day this year, I wanted to give each of them (among other things) at lease something personal and meaningful that I know they’d use and love.
For my father-in-law and dad, it was a no brainer… they are COFFEE drinkers through and through, and so a personalized coffee mug from Snapfish (as silly as it may sound), is truly something I know they will treasure and love and USE!
For my husband, I wanted to get him something for his office. He just moved his company to a new, bigger office and he needs some personalized decor! He had mentioned that he didn’t have anything with Amos on it and I immediately had to remedy the situation!
I got him this awesome customized family tabletop picture panel, along with a canvas print of his kiddos from Snapfish.
I love sites like Snapfish where you can create personalized photo gifts for Father’s Day, or any occasion, for that matter!
Want to win a $50 gift card to Snapfish to help you create a meaningful gift for the father figure(s) in your life? Enter the giveaway below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
I remember playing softball with my dad!
My dad still makes me take out the garbage at home because I swore I would “take out the garbage FOREVER” if he bought me a crimping iron when I was like 10. I’m 36!
My dad restored muscle cars in the 80s and occasionally let me drive them as a teen.
Seeing my dad catch two fish at a time! Never forget his happy face.
My dad is my biggest inspiration and he is the best thing that ever happened to me.
My fondest memories of my dad are down hill skiing and going to ice hockey games every weekend.
All of my memories involve trips to the home improvement store- as silly as that sounds. It oddly was our bonding time. I loved helping him with home projects!
I remember when my dad taught me how to ride my bike. The neighbor boy who was a year older than me came over and said no one had ever taught him how to rid a bike…so my dad taught him, too.
What a sweet post, Molly. Love those gallery wrap canvases, I’ve been wanting one for a while now- this would be so perfect!
Oh man, this is so sweet. We became parents this year and it’s my husband’s first Father’s Day! What a joy it has been to see him become a Father and love our son! My favorite video we have is of him “dancing” with our son at 2 weeks old. They still do it and I can’t wait to compare videos as our son gets older.
My Dad is one of my very best friends and I’m so grateful to have him in my life. It’s so hard to pick a favorite moment because so many moments have become so special in my heart. I am chronically ill and the first time I had a seizure my Dad just held me afterwards and told me how much he loved me. It was really nice to know he was there for me. Another one is when I was young, around 8, and we ended up getting lost and ended up at the weird antique store that had dozens of calliopes that the store owner took us on a tour of and let us play with. It was so much fun!
My dad died 5 years ago. I miss him a lot but am so thankful my father in law is a wondeful and Godly man. He adores he three grandbabies just like I know my dad would have.
I will have to say that my favorite memories of my dad has to do with him being silly with my girls. Hard to believe that a former Marine in Military Intelligence and a former cop would allow his granddaughters dress him up with their play jewelry.
I’ll never forget the one time I had food poisoning and I was up sick all night (I was a tween). My dad sat beside me and held my hair back.