Happy Father’s Day, Dada

I don’t know how much longer Violet is going to let us keep referring to her father as “Dada,” so I’m making use of it while I still can. There’s something so innocent about hearing her say it, I’m just not ready to let it go (and I don’t think Eric is either.)

I’ve let the blog go way too long again, but I’m returning with (all-too familiar) vows to maintain it more regularly. Starting today. But we’ll get to the catching up and resolutions for change in another post. This is about Father’s Day, and particularly, the father of my (two!) girls.

He never ceases to amaze me. His dedication to our family is so powerful, so inspiring . . . and frankly, sometimes a little tough to live up to. He works so hard for us, and he’s done such amazing things in his professional life. But the more remarkable thing is that in the midst of all that, he is so very present with us. Every. Single. Day. I don’t know how he does it all. From fixing breakfasts (yes, more than one) to fixing dinners (again, more than one) and bathing both of his beauties every evening – he’s there, and he’s engaged. He is the foundation of our family, and we three girls could not adore him more.

So we set out to make today all for him. And in keeping with his character, he made it all for us. After sleeping in (barely), he let Violet present him with his cards and present, and then let her decide what we’d do with the rest of the day. We spent it at the park and by the river. Packed a picnic lunch and ate it in the shade, hit the swings for a bit, and then spread a blanket by the banks with hopes of napping to the sound of the rushing river . . . but Violet had different ideas. So she played, and explored, and Ruby slept, and we eventually made it home before the rains came. And he was happy with that. I didn’t even realize until we got home that he’d missed the mountain bike ride I’d intended for him to take today. I don’t know if he’d noticed. Either way, he didn’t mind. Even today, especially today, he is a father first. We are so very lucky to have him, and we love him so very, very much.

Dada and his daughters

Violet agrees to pose for a photo - lucky me

Ruby, the only one who enjoyed the intended nap

Happy Father’s Day, Eric.