One spunky dude.

It's difficult to figure out a place to start with talking about how amazing fathers can be.

On this day I've thought of four people.

I'm not the closest to them but it's the thought that counts right?

One being a friend from high school. Like I said before, I'm not the closest friend to her but we shared a couple classes together and really only talked in those classes. We never got together outside of school. I watched through facebook, her wedding day, and soon after her fathers passing. I'm thinking of her because I know how much a girl needs a dad. I also thought how blessed she is that he got to see her special day at the temple. I don't think she knows this, but she is a great example of strength to me and a good reminder to love, cherish, and remember the special moments I have with my dad.

The next person is my cousin... so this is confusing because she married my cousin, but we will just consider her my cousin. I have only conversed with her at family gatherings, and for a week while job shadowing her at the dental office she works in. She was stuck in my mind today as well because her dad also passed recently. I watched this all on facebook as well. All I can say is how thankful I am that I still have MY dad. I'm thankful for her strength and her example that she knows Heavenly Father is doing his will. I hope that these two hearts are comforted and they know that their fathers are in a better place.

The third person being my uncle. Memories of trampoline days and cleaning up the backyard shoot through my mind when I think of him. Now he is across the country raising two of the most beautiful, spunky, hilarious girls. He has been fighting seizures for quite some time now and spending the day in a hospital is not how you would think of your father's day I'm sure. I do know that he is great dad. I've watched him make lunches for his girls for school, make sure they both get to and from dance, and be their personal photographer in their extra curricular activities. If you could do me a favor and keep a prayer in your heart for him. He's crossed my mind more than 1 million times today.

Last but not least.

My Dad.

I'm grateful he loves chick flicks as much as I do. That is no small love folks... its all I ever watch. I wrote him a letter early this morning because I have heard that the greatest gifts are the ones that are made from the heart. I told him that I'm so thankful for his hard work to keep a roof over mine and Staci's head, his contagious smile and laugh, his positive attitude, and endless amount of charitable acts. How all of that is in one man, I'll never know. We got back from New York yesterday and I can honestly say he was the light of that entire city. He made friends with anyone and everyone we came across. I hope I inherit those qualities. He was loved by that entire city. His giving is endless, and he gets good karma for it too. When our plane landed in Salt Lake we had to take the shuttle to get to the park n' jet and as we were leaving he had to pay for how many days he left his truck parked there. We pulled up to the window and asked the employee how she was doing, and her face just lit up; almost as if no one had ever asked her that question anymore. She asked him the same question and my dad's response is always, "I'M AWESOME!!!!" which then put an even bigger smile on her face. While she was ringing up the total she told my dad she was giving him a discount because she feels giving. In that moment I thought to myself how amazing my dad is and that he can have that affect on thousands of people. He is THAT example. If I have to live up to anything its him.

So dad, thanks for your example. Thank you for sharing your coke with me, watching chick flicks, hugging me every morning before you go to work, yummy bbq dinners, spontaneous road trips, laughing at my jokes, making sure I have a roof over my head, and loving me.

Because I sure do love you.

Happy Father's Day.

you are one spunky dude.

xoxo.