Fatherliness and Father's Day

Fatherliness is different from fatherhood.

Fathers who are fatherly are incredible men.

Fathers who are fatherly bring strength and security to their children.

Fathers who are fatherly are role models, heroes and leaders.

I know that not all fathers are the epitome of such stoicism, but, by and large, I think all fathers desire to be fatherly.

Fatherly fathers aren’t perfect, none of us are. Fatherly fathers are vulnerable, imperfect and capable of making mistakes.

I have a hard-working and fatherly father. He was dedicated to his career and was – and still is – dedicated to his family. I remember him flying in from business trips to come to  Father/Daughter Dances. I have memories of him at volleyball games, piano recitals, opera house performances. Even as an adult, he came to see me run a local race and was there to cheer me on at the finish line. He loves us unconditionally. He provided for his family and continues to guide our family in faith.

My father-in-law is gentle, strong, caring, loving and a great fatherly father and grandfather. I didn’t get to grow up knowing him, but I watch him with our girls. I saw him in the delivery room holding his granddaughters for the first time. I hear stories, and I know … he is a good father.

My husband is a good fatherly father. He works hard, and then he helps watch the children so that I can work – not because I have to, but because I really, really want to. I’ve been given an amazing opportunity as a second career, and he is such a good husband and father that he supports me by taking care of the children during the times I need to be away.

 He was great when the children were infants – he knew more about babies than I did! I couldn’t have done this thing called parenthood without him. I still can’t! I am thankful that he takes a leadership role in so many decisions.

Now that they are older, he takes our oldest to ice skating practice and encourages our youngest as she works hard on her speech lessons. He takes our oldest to Oshkosh for seven days! He snuggles with our youngest and reads stories – even if they happen to be about ballet and fairies and princesses.

He is an excellent role model of what my daughters should look for in a husband. He is faithful to God, loves his children, honors his parents, respects mine, is strong and courageous and also is gentle.

I am proud of my father, my father-in-law and my husband.

I am thankful for all of the fatherly men in my life, for there are so many to whom I look for guidance and courage. They need not be family, but they are, indeed, a blessing in my life – their experience, their kindness, their support and their willingness to share their lives to broaden mine – I truly am thankful for all they are.

For those of us who might not have strong father-figures in our lives … we need not look farther than our God – who loves us perfectly, despite our imperfections. Who stands by us, no matter how often we might turn our backs. Who gives us strength and grace that can only come from Him, no matter how much pain or how much hurt we must overcome.

But, I want to thank you, fatherly men, who take care of others, who respect those to whom you speak, who stand up for those who are weaker, who comfort those who are hurting, who forgive when you have been hurt and who give others hope when they are hopeless. You are fathers – whether you have children, have lost children, have never had children or have lost touch with your children. You are fathers, because you represent strength, character and goodness.

~ Men, embrace your opportunity to be fatherly ~

My husband, being an awesome Dad.

My Dad doing the grandfather thing.

My mother-in-law and my father-in-law. The two rarely are apart!

My Dad being a supportive daddy even when his baby girl is all grown-up!