We celebrated Father’s Day a couple of nights early. We had to leave on a trip which would take dad away from us on Sunday so a few nights before we left the kids shared their gifts with him.
I was fussing around in the other room when I heard him:
“Oh, it’s beautiful. Look, you wrapped it yourself and drew all these beautiful pictures. Oh my gosh my very own poem. It’s so great thank you so much.”(Audible hugs and kisses.)
This went on and one and this was only gift one. He went through every part of gift one, from the card and wrapping to the actual gift, and gave each piece his utmost attention and a list of adjectives. In short, he gushed. Then he repeated the exact same routine, with the same level of enthusiasm for gift two. (In case you’re wondering-there is no gift three. That kid was over on a chair playing Leapster. Next year he’ll get it.) The kids ate it up. The relished in the attention enough to drag out the presentation as much as they could. The Girl was milking it so much that my first reaction was to walk in the room and give her the “that’s enough” face so she would ease up on the drama.
But then it hit me. This is why I love him and am so glad I picked him to have babies with. My husband gives these kids everything I can’t (or at least haven’t been able to yet). I am not overly enthusiastic. I dole out praise, but in a very pragmatic way- always to teach a lesson or reinforce a behavior. I am the polar opposite of indulgent. But The Husband from the day I met him has never shied away from lavishing one with praise. It made me so uncomfortable the first time I gave him a gift I thought for sure it was an act. I am still not entirely comfortable with it now but I am 100% certain that his affection and enthusiasm are genuine and come from his pure and beautiful heart.
I am thrilled for my kids that he is their dad. I have tried to learn from him, but my efforts are awkward at best. No matter how I falter, I can rest assured that my children will be gushed over plenty in their lives, because they have a remarkable dad.
Happy Father’s Day Love.
Thankful every day for you-love,
All of us.
The new look is beautiful!!!! I wanted to contact you, but can't find your email on this blog. I would love to connect!
Heather
(Linda's friend)
Kevin is a great dad…hopefully it runs in the family! (I have complete faith in Mark even if he doesn't have faith in himself!) Like the new look of the blog. Hope you are having a good summer. We'll have to get together soon.
XOXO
Cathy