FATHERS!

Yesterday, the Town of Taber and especially some community organisations put together a free BBQ dinner which was open to the whole town in honor of celebrating fatherhood and fathers. What a great idea I thought it was! I think fathers are not celebrated enough so I was quite happy to see that this town cared enough to do such thing.

This post is for all the Fathers in my life!

To my dad, who has taught me valuable lessons about work, service, family, budgeting, and open mindedness. Thank you for all you have done for me. You were my first love, my whole, my best friend. I learned to serve, cherish, and love our family, and friends from you. You taught me how to give unselfishly and taught me a great deal about charity through the example you were in helping the people around you whether they were family, friends, coworkers or even strangers. I am grateful for your teachings. I am grateful for the values you have instilled in me and for teaching me to love my people, the Tahitian people. Although I might not be daddy's little girl anymore. Although time, distance and other reasons have altered the wonderful relationship we had, I thank you for all that you gave me, for all that I am and all that I learned. I hope you knew how much I LOVED YOU and how much I still do LOVE YOU.

To my brothers, thank you for the examples you are to me. What great men you are! I couldn't be prouder to call you my brothers. You know how to love unconditionally and give willingly without expecting anything in return. You always so wonderfully and so simply teach us about what really matters in life and how to enjoy it. You are my living heroes! I know how much you love me, love my husband, and my boys. I hope you know how much I LOVE YOU too!

To my grandpas (even though I only knew one out of the three of you), uncles, cousins and nephews who are all fathers now, thank you for the great dads you are. When I think about our upbringing and all that we have been through together and all that we did together, I feel so much pride about the fathers you are. The fathers you have become and the wonderful, beautiful, intelligent children you are raising. Our humble beginnings have proven to be a blessing for each one of us. I am grateful for YOU, for our childhood together and the protection, care and love you have shown me. I LOVE YOU all dearly.

To my father in law, thank you for teaching Marc about work ethic. Thank you for raising him in the gospel and getting him on a mission. It has taught him how to study. He was made a better man. And of course, we were able to meet.

Last but not least, to my husband, my love, thank you so much for the extraordinary man and father you are. I am so grateful for you. You have made me a better person by teaching me through example of the importance of a gospel centered life. I am grateful for the many things you do for me daily and the love, patience, and respect you have for our boys. Thank you for loving us unconditionally. Thank you for providing for us. Thank you for the time we spend together. For the unselfish person you are. I am grateful for you, for your values, your integrity and work ethic. I am grateful for all that you have taught me for the past thirteen years. It is so easy to love and care for you. You lift me up when I am down. Cheer me up when I am sad. You never complain when I have my bad days. I am grateful that you let me sleep in on week ends and never expect me to do anything. I know that you know how much we love you. I am so thankful that our sons have you as a father. You always teach/talk to them when they have done something bad never harshly and always patiently. They can always count on you for comfort when they get hurt, or a cuddle just because they want one or playtime and fun because you always and no matter what, stop what you are doing to play with them. I am thankful that you always find and give of your time to our sons. You are the greatest man I know! You are my only love, my whole, my best friend. As you tell me often " I LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK."

To all of you wonderful fathers out there. THANK YOU!