June 2024: Father's Day

Father's Day fell on June 16, and naturally we tried our best to spoil Brian. There was breakfast, 

Church, presents (which I no longer remember getting or gifting), and a trip to Provo for the Utah Premier Brass Concert in the park. We made Papa a card full of puns and maybe even a poem from me (that naturally was punny and terrible). 

We enjoyed the concert, and Kirt shared lots of "Dad Jokes" throughout. Of course, he also led the Children's parade during the Children's march. 

It was a beautiful night. 

After the concert, we loved being able to visit with Papa

And some of us even got to throw a football with him. 

 My life is so blessed because of the Fathers in my life. This calendar year lined up perfectly with June 2019 when my dad died, and my heart marked each day from Wednesday the 12th when he died to his family viewing on Flag day, his funeral on Saturday, June 15, and that first Father's Day on June 16 without him. I worried that Father's Day would be so incredibly painful with Dad passing in June, but that Father's Day in 2019 paved the way for healing. I remember getting up and deciding to find joy that day. To celebrate Brian. To see my dad in the faces of his grandkids. To honor him by choosing to be grateful for the memories we had and all the ways his influence still blesses me. I will always be grateful for the bear of a man who was my dad, and I see him smiling every Father's Day. 

I'm so grateful for Brian, and the incredible father he is. I've loved having a front row seat to his fatherhood journey. He went from scared out of his mind to provide for a baby when he was still in college and being nervous to hold him to being confident in his role. He gets more handsome with every laugh line on they put on his face. He is still my hero. 

I'm grateful for my grandpa who has quietly lent me his strength and support throughout my life. 

I'm grateful for Kirt, for raising such a good son, and for loving me like his own daughter, even if he can't remember what my actual relationship with him is (It's daughter-in-law, Kirt;) ). He's such an amazing Papa to my kids, and we are so richly blessed to have him so close by. 

I'm grateful to my Heavenly Father for His tender love and the gift of His Son. 

To quote my favorite father's day primary song: "Fathers are so special, with a very special love. They watch us and protect us. They guide us and direct us back to our home above." (Fathers, Children's Songbook, p 209).