To my Dad

Happy Father's Day Dad! What a great father you are!! Ok- so we didn't get along so great when I was a teenager...but it was only uphill from there! We thought we were so different from each other- but ironically these last few years have proved the opposite. We are so similar it's scary. I inherited not only your good looks but also your neuroses!
When I got into B.Y.U. after high school I knew you were proud of me. And it made me happy to know that I made you happy by going to your Alma Mater. And you were supportive the whole way through. By supportive I mean that you sustained me all my years there so I could focus on my school work. Thank you, thank you Dad.
And you supported me when I got married. You truly embraced Nathan as another son. He has always felt loved and accepted by you. And again, you paid for my beautiful wedding and reception. And you've helped us build our life and family over these last 7 years. Thank you so much Dad.
And most of all when I was struggling the most in my life and everything was at stake, you sacrificed for me more than most husbands could- you lent me Mom for months on end when I truly needed her. You have been alone a lot these past few years. And I'll never forget that Dad.
What I am trying to say is that nothing important or meaningful in my life would have been possible without....you. I love you Dad. XOXOXO, me

The Letter

When I was dating Nathan and things were getting serious, I wrote my Grandma a letter to tell her about this boy. I was absolutely freaking out about whether to get engaged to Nathan and head down that path toward marriage or if I should let "this one go." I was petrified of getting married. I didn't want anything to do with it (for awhile-I was only 22). But I had this sinking feeling that I'd never come across someone like Nathan again. So simply, this was my dilemma.
My Grandma wrote back to me and told me that if the main purpose in life was to come to Earth to be sealed and have our own family, than the most important question I had to ask myself was, "What kind of father would he be?"
It seems so simple and obvious to me now....but at the time it was the most profound advice I received from anyone on the matter. That's when I knew. When Grandma put it that way, the answer was obvious. That's the moment I decided to marry Nathan.
I could feel it. I could see it and deep in my heart I knew it. I knew that Nathan would be the most amazing, loving, most wonderful, huggable, get down on your hands and knees "play-with-me" Dad.
And he is.
Thank you Grandma.
It doesn't get any better than Nathan.
Happy Father's Day honey- we love you more than words can say.

Happy Father's Day

Me and the kids tried to come up with every imaginable way to say.....HAPPY