June. Beautiful sunshiny days, the fresh feeling of summer approaching, the end of the school year, and a time to celebrate fathers. It’s one of the best months in my book, although I may have a few too many favorites. I personally have a wonderful father, father-in-law, and husband, who is Daddy to our four children. I know, however, that my situation is not at all as common as I would like to think. I often wrestle with the conflicting notions of celebrating something to honor one person and holding back to protect another’s feelings. But today, let’s encourage those fathers who have done well and hopefully spur on those who are just at the beginning stages of fatherhood. To fathers everywhere: your job is so important. And we see you.

You were the ones who spoke a little too harshly and then chose to painfully learn how to apologize to a two-year-old. And then you taught us to ask for forgiveness. By your actions.

You swung us around and gave piggy-back rides and rough-housed until Mom sent us outside. You made memories of play.

You cooked all the wrong things when Mom was gone, and weren’t nearly as lenient. It took a while before we learned grace and flexibility.

But then you gave us candy and let us stay up late.

You refused to let us wear short shorts or crop tops or bikinis or anything else that was in style or let us date until we turned thirty.

You taught us to drive and stayed relatively calm throughout the whole ordeal…

Then you were the ones who taught us to fill the car with gas, check the oil, and change a tire. You made sure there was a full survival kit in the trunk, complete with shovel for snowy days.

You were very open with our boyfriends about your gun collections.

You were the ones who taught us about responsibility and helped with college applications. Then you secretly celebrated when you found out we were moving out, and you could have your wife all to yourself.

You were the ones who walked us down the aisle and let go…

You’ve made mistakes and felt ashamed, but you’ve stuck around. Even when the stress was too much to bear and the spark had long left your marriage and you didn’t feel appreciated by anyone.

And you were the one who smiled and hugged your love tightly when you saw the little blue plus sign that day way back then, even though you were terrified to be a father. Unsure of yourself, of your ability to provide and protect your budding family. You gave her courage to throw up and glow and grow and pick out crib sheets and hurt and push and love so deeply. Because women are strong…but they can lose heart sometimes. And they need to know they’re not alone.

Thank you. From all of us who noticed.