Father's Day

This post is in honor of Father's Day.

Not Fathers' Day.

I know, technically the apostrophe is supposed to go after the 'S'. It is the day belonging to all fathers in the world. That is, all the fathers in the consumerist, Hallmark holiday driven parts of the world. However, for myself, this holiday is to be celebrated in honor of only one father.

This post is dedicated to my brother-in-law, who is not only the perfect father for his children, but also the perfect husband for my sister. If any of the other "fathers" I have encountered had shown even a hint of the unconditional love and fierce protectiveness he feels for his family, then perhaps I would feel compelled to put that apostrophe following the 'S' after all.

Today I thank him; for completing my sister, and for being completed by her as well. For being patient while I demanded she read me a bedtime story (a LONG one) before they went on their dates. For being the life of the party at an awkward Daddy-Daughter Dance in church when I was 9. For contributing to the evolution of my nickname. For giving the best hugs in our family. For inappropriate jokes. For irreverent campfire dances. For not making fun of my mother's terrible puns nearly as often as he could be. For being a role model for my brother. For running practice marathons with his kids. For giving them creative nicknames. For teaching his son to fish, and ski, and play soccer. For loving his daughter's ballet recitals. For the talks he's had with them, and the ones that have yet to happen. For all the camping trips, vacations, renovations, school projects, performances, parent-teacher conferences, sports games, family events, ski trips, bruises, and experiences that are yet to come. For being the undeniably best father figure my family has ever known, just by being yourself.

Thank you.