how they'll remember Daddy

John left today, Sunday, in the middle of the day to catch his flight to New York for work. It was a different feeling having him leave today instead of Monday morning. 

People who know me personally know that John travels just about every week for work. Many kids grow up with a dad who is absent and tries to replace his time with gifts. That is not how our kids will remember their dad.

Even though John travels so much, he is more of a dad than most dads are who don't travel. He gives himself to our family 100% when he's home. 

Our girls are going to remember a dad who 

• gets down on the floor to build intricate towers from Duplos. 
• isn't afraid to be dressed up with scarves and shimmery purses ready to crown his daughter Princess Gobah of the Land of Building Blocks and Measuring Tape. 
• throws epic parties with wooden cupcakes and made up songs. 
• eats soup made of magnetic letters and looks up recipes online on a computer that doesn't turn on.
• looks them in the eye with an expression of eager anticipation of what's going to come out of their mouths. 
• flies them into their rooms having them flap their wings to get there
• throws and kicks balls with them outside or up the stairs.
• helps them jump over the moon.
• shows creativity in the games they play and doesn't quash the creativity of his girls.
• sweeps them up when they fall to give magical healing kisses or an ice pack "cold Elmo" to make things better.
• remembers the order of obligatory songs each night and sings them as if it wasn't the millionth time.
• helps overcome moments of shyness and fear by practicing how to be courageous.
• cheers with pride when they do something for the first time.
• stands by his word and follows through his promises.
• plays hide and seek over and over. 
• throws dance parties to homemade xylophone music.
• greets them with excitement every time they enter the room.
• experiences life with them in the same sense of wonder that they have.
• loves them deeply and unabashedly.

Our girls are lucky to have a dad like John. And I'm blessed to have him as my husband.