Dear Dad,

Happy Father's Day. Truly wonderful fathers are hard to come by it seems. The dads that make dinner, pick the kids up from school, come on school field trips, take the time to wrestle on the floor, make plans to take the kids to ballgames, and stop at nothing to make sure everyone is well cared for. Those types of dads are come to by, I think.

And not a day goes by where I don't think about how lucky I was to have you as my father growing up, and how lucky I continue to be to have the friendship, and father-daughter relationship we share as adults.

You set a standard so high as far as parenting in a loving, devoted, and playful way. Throughout college and after college while dating various boys I compared them to you. Growing up in a loving, safe, and close family set guidelines for me. I wanted to find a man who worked hard, played hard, found joy and peace in most everything, and above all put family first. When I got back in touch with Adam and began dating him, I quickly found that he shared the same passion for life and family that you did. And I remember coming home after a walk on the beach with him. You were standing in the kitchen probably making your famous spaghetti sauce or burning some chicken for mom and you saw the glow on my face. After spending a few minutes telling you about this boy named Adam, you stopped what you were doing and said, "Well, Sarah I really hope this one works out for you"

And now years and years later we can all see that it did work out for me. Hands-down Adam has been one of the best choices I have made in my life, and I want to thank you for showing me what an involved, patient, loving, fun, and thoughtful father is supposed to look like.

And I want to thank you for loving him as if he was one of your own. I get so much joy over-hearing you talk to him about tennis, politics, gardening...even if in the moment I shush you both up because the kids just fell asleep.

You have done such an amazing job providing for our family. And I don't just mean financially, although we can all learn from you as far as budgets, misc. spending, spreadsheets, and how to save money. But you have also provided us with a safe community to grow up in (even if your crazy over-protectiveness would lead most people to think we lived in some crime-ridden ghetto), numerous fun family trips, hours of entertainment at basketball games, baseball games, and wrestling matches.

And what an amazing grandpa you are as well. The way you walk upstairs every morning and make it a point to come up to each child and say good morning. The way you come to the kids' swim lessons, read books to them, sit with them while they eat their snacks as to ensure no one falls or chokes.

The way you told me just last night that you plan to cut down our beloved tree after watching Charlie climb so high. And the way you laugh at each funny kid story I share with you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a great dad, for teaching me what to look for in a partner, and for being a very involved grandfather to our kids.

Because spending time with the people you love is how you show them you care, right?