Dear husband,

It’s Father’s Day. The kids made you cards. Evan complained that Ashlyn’s once again was better than everyone else’s and made theirs looked like garbage. I made you blueberry pancakes for breakfast but had to make the kids all chocolate chip ones because they didn’t want blueberries and it look so long that I barely got to sit down before kids were finished and forgetting to clear their plates. We were a few minutes late to church, and the kids fussed afterwards about avoiding any “conversation traps” so they could get home to argue over…I mean admire…the new kittens. Our picnic was moved inside given that it was so hot and our dining room was about 5 degrees cooler. The food was awesome though; I hardly minded Lydia crying over not having enough alone time with the kittens.

I hope you enjoyed your day, your perfectly imperfect Father’s Day with two teeny kittens frolicking in the sunroom and 4 not-so-teeny kids, 1/2 of whom give me lip about taking their picture. It was good, not because of any real significant moments but because of lots of insignificant ones. That’s kind of where most of the good stuff seems to be anyway.

I’m not going to tell you you’re the best father in the world; I wouldn’t even know how that role is measured. But, I will tell you you’re the best father for these four. Lydia said whenever she wants to wrestle, you wrestle her. Drew said whenever he wants to go to Goodwill to find something for a project or wants to make something and needs your help, you make time for him. Ashlyn said that whenever one of them isn’t happy, you cheer them up. Evan said that you agreed to new kitties—which I interpret as even though you weren’t thrilled about the responsibility and commitment of new kittens, you said yes because you knew it was what he needed. You may not be the best father in the world; I don’t know what that means and who would want that title anyway? You, my dear, are the father they need. You are the father I need to be by my side. And, as Lydia worded it, “I love you more than any father in the world.”

Thanks for loving them and loving me everyday in spite of days that never seem to go as planned and a little poo outside the litter box…metaphorically speaking, of course…