On A Brighter Note..

Happy Birthday Daddy!!!

I have always been a Daddy's girl. My father is the most amazing man I've ever met. (And although I don't like to admit it, I married someone just like him!) He has always been there for me, through thick and thin. When I was a little girl, I'll never forget Mom whispering to us, "Girls... do you know how wonderful your Daddy is? You should marry a man just like him." I remember sitting on the couch and holding a pillow in front of my face making gagging noises each night as he came in from work and kissed her 'hello'. He has been such a fabulous example to me. The last few years he's been a Mother of sorts as well. He held me with tears in his eyes the day I picked out my wedding gown. He listened to all of my girl drama during the years before I met Matt (and some after! lol) He sat in the American Eagle lobby for countless hours while I tried on 55 pairs of jeans. He went and met caterer's with me and made sure my shoes were dyed the right color to match my dress. He has cried with me, laughed with me, and been there for me when I needed it most.

As a little girl, I used to sing this song every night and act it out whenever Dad came home...

"I'm so glad when Daddy comes home, glad as I can be!

Clap my hands and shout for joy, then climb up on his knee,

Put my arms around his neck, hug him tight like this,

Pat his cheeks, then give him what? A GREAT BIG KISS!"

I can never express how grateful I am for such an amazing, wonderful father. Happy Birthday Daddy!!! Today I am celebrating you. Nothing could sum it up better than the song we danced to on my wedding day, (yes I know this is cheesy... bear with me.)

"For all those times you stood by me

For all the truth that you made me see

For all the joy you brought to my life

For all the wrong that you made right

For every dream you made come true

For all the love I found in you

I'll be forever thankful

You're the one who held me up

Never let me fall

You're the one who saw me through, through it all

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith 'cause you believed

I'm everything I am Because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly

You touched my hand I could touch the sky

I lost my faith, you gave it back to me

You said no star was out of reach

You stood by me and I stood tall

I had your love, I had it all

I'm grateful for each day you gave me

Maybe, I don't know that much

But I know this much is true

I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith 'cause you believed

I'm everything I am Because you loved me

You were always there for me, the tender wind that carried me

The light in the dark shining your love into my life

You've been my inspiration through the lies you were the truth

My world is a better place because of you."

I just wanted to take a moment to thank my dad. I couldn't have asked for a better father. Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you.