Yes, I realize this is way after Father's Day. It is exactly 9 days after. HOWEVER, I have decided it shouldn't wait until next Father's Day. There is a soapbox I will stand on, praise be given, and hopefully, you will not only love the fathers I am connected to, but also gain some new perspective/ open your eyes to just how amazing the fathers are in your life.
Soap Box!
On Mother's Day, we are celebrated. We are pictured as Mother Theresa's (and rightfully so) and told to be pampered by our family. We have high expectations of roses (or just flowers in general,) breakfast in bed, cards, gifts, and a special dinner.
What do we do for Father's Day?
We tell Dad, Happy Father's Day! We might get him a card or small gift. The End.
Now then, my eyes have been opening slowly but surely over the years. This year I feel as if the good Lord has reached down and forced my eyes open to see just how well taken care of we women are. In my immediate circle, there is my #1 Favorite Person in the whole entire world. You can look right...he is the handsome man in the picture with me. =) Extend that circle to my side of the family - you have my MOST amazing Dad and my FABULOUS brother. Turn to Stephen's side, you have his WONDERFUL Dad and his FABULOUS brothers. I'm going to go through this backwards...talk about spontaneous!
(Yes, Stephen, I know you are laughing. There is still order and ridiculous amounts of organization in here. But I'm trying!)
Stephen has 2 brothers. The oldest one has a son and wife that he would do anything for. He works very hard 6 or 7 days a week in order to provide for his family through construction work. He has a heart of gold that is completely turned toward his family.
The younger brother, Jacob, has 2 children and a lovely wife. Jacob started out in the military, where he met the lovely wife, and once he was out immediately began a journey to gain a degree. I can't tell you what the degree is in, because I can't remember. Let's go with he finds Physics and other ridiculously challenging subjects simple. Therefore, he's uber smart. Back to him being a Dad. Do you know what he does? He goes to school, full-time. Except for this summer he has been working diligently to get a degree so that he can provide a comfortable lifestyle for his family. This summer he took on a bigger challenge. He and his lovely wife decided that she would go to school full time. Someone had to take care of their darlings, and Jacob stepped up to the plate. He became Mr. Mom and has successfully taken care of two children under the age of three for the past couple of months. How many dads willingly take that challenge on?
(for more of Carolyn Allen's work click
here. She is FABULOUS!)
Jim? Oh he's wonderful! That would be my father-in-law for those of you that don't know. He is a gruff old bear on the outside. On the inside is an absolute heart of gold. How do I know? Well, go read about what he did the week of my kidney surgery. Add to that, this has been tough semester on my mom-in-law at work. There are a million changes going on plus she is taking care of more people. On Mother's Day, he bought her some beautiful flowers and got the family together FOR HER. He has been taking her to dinner randomly, simply so she doesn't have to cook and can enjoy a few moments of relaxation. There are a million more things that he does, but I'm not there to see or hear about them all. How many dads/husbands do this?
(This is an old pic. Sorry that Audrey isn't in here. We'll have to take a pic of him w/ all grandkids next time we're down that way!)
My dad? My dad has had a very growing few years. He has changed. The Lord has done a wonderful work and continues to work in him. You see, there are some situations outside of our control. We feel helpless and lost in those situations. Instead of my dad telling people to, "toughen up and put your big boy/girl pants on," he became Christ-like. Dad took a step back and surveyed the situation. He has become a servant heart. When there is not strength or energy, Dad provides the strength and laughter (aka energy) to make it through. When the light seems to be turned off and the darkness is closing in, Dad opens the Word and lets it light the way. When we kids turned our full vent of childish frustation on my father, he opened the Word and took solstice in the fact he was making Godly decisions. If Dad had not stood upon the Word of God, we (all six of us) would not be who we are or where we are today.
Granted, I'd rather not be in LA, but that's beside the point.
Dad is amazing. He deserves the best.
On to my brother. I don't always see eye-to-eye with him, but there is no denying that he is a good dad and a great husband. Solomon and Katie are parents to 2 adorable little boys! Solomon sacrifices precious time in order to provide a comfortable life for his family. He works very hard at his job so that Katie is able to stay home and be a full time mommy to these two precious boys. Solomon is solidly grounded in the Word of God and it shows in how he is raising his family.
(To see more of Molly Denson's work click
here.)
(To see more of Stacy Joyce Kennedy's work click
here.)
Now then, on to MY FAVORITE!!!!!! Yes, I fully intend to brag about how amazing he is. However, the bragging will be limited to how wonderful a father he is. I'll leave the bragging about his "being a husband" skills for a later date...which by the way, I'll just say he's the best.
Anyways! Back on topic.
In 2002...November to be exact, he entered into fatherhood. Stephen Kyle Langenmayr entered this world and was immediately loved. My Favorite took his role as father very seriously. He played with Kyle, worked hard to provide for him, and in 2005 helped bring Abigail Mae Langenmayr into this world.
In 2010, Stephen (My Favorite) had a very large and painful change come into his life. He became a single dad. How many single dads do you know of? Prior to Stephen, I didn't know of any. He willingly put his career in the Coast Guard on the line in order to keep his children. In June of 2010, Stephen moved to FL to be closer to family.
You can't deny that this man loves his children. In December 2010/January 2011, Stephen and I had decided we were going to for sure get to know each other. Sounds funny, but you have to understand something. The best way to help you understand is to open the door to my house and let you in on a conversation. It was later in the evening and Stephen had come to my home in Lecanto to talk. It was THE talk that was to determine our decision on seeing each other. After awkwardly listening to me ramble, Stephen point blank asked if I thought he and I could date. Obviously, I said I thought we could. No, more than that. He wanted to know if the children, our Kyle & Abby, were a deal breaker. If I wanted him, I had to understand the children came with. There was no exception or any other option.
The man was putting happiness, because yes we were very happy together, on the line for his children.
Who does that?!
I looked him in the face and told him that Kyle and Abby had to be part of the picture. There was no way I would try to tear his children from him. I knew how much Kyle and Abby loved their father and I also knew how much Stephen was willing to fight to keep his children.
There really isn't anything he would not do for the good of Kyle and Abby. If you look closely at those two pictures on the bottom right, you will see a corn stalk stuck in his shirt and him messing with Kyle. The corn stalk was because Stephen and Kyle were trying to sneak up on Abby & me in the corn maze. The boys (Kyle and Stephen) decided Daddy needed camo. The other picture was to make Kyle laugh. He was hot, tired, and ready to go. What I didn't catch on camera, thank you dear camera battery for dying, was Kyle bursting out laughing so hard he almost fell off the wagon we were riding.
My Stephen? Well, most people hear he is in the military and ask which branch. When I tell them he is in the Coast Guard 9 times out of 10 people scoff at it. Why? Because most people think that he doesn't do much. Do you realize it was the Coast Guard (CG) that helped $600 BILLION get down the river a couple weeks ago? Yeah, if they hadn't been there ya'll would have lost a LOT of product. Go see what all merchandise is shipped on the MS River.
We are a new family. We are only 366 days old. Stephen knew full well it would be difficult for Kyle & Abby when he had to go underway again for the first time in 2 years. In order to take care of us and give us the best life possible, he took a promotion. That promotion landed us here. He is underway every other week. There are times when trips are extended or he has to go to CG schools. At first Kyle & Abby struggled greatly when he was away. They were afraid he was going to leave them as well. As time wore on, it became easier. When they realized it was not easy for me having him gone, they dealt even better with this situation. Every night, without fail, Stephen will either call or text while he is underway. I can't tell you how many times he has been so exhausted he was practically falling asleep on the phone, but he wanted to be able to talk to his babies and let them know they were loved. For me? What did he do for me? He encouraged me. He prayed for and with me. Stephen lets me know he loves me not just at night, but also randomly throughout the day. He gives me insight on why Kyle & Abby act certain ways. How? Because he loves those children to the depths of his soul. Why? Because he knows I love them and wants to help me reach Kyle & Abby right when and where they need it.
I know the wives of everyone of these men. But my question is, do we see all of the little things they do for us? I don't. Do we let them know how much we truly appreciate them? Or do we, like most, on Father's Day say, "Hey good job, but keep trying."
I don't think we should. Andy, Steve's oldest brother, works incredible hours to provide and does countless things to let his family know he loves them. Jacob, Steve's younger brother, goes to college full time and became Mr. Mom in addition to countless other things he does on a more personal level to let his Kelly and children know he loves them. Jim went out of his way to come take care of an in-law he barely knows, works very hard, and does his best to let his family know he will be there for them through thick and thin. My Dad works a full time job, takes care of things around the house, is a full time supporter emotionallly and spiritually for my momma, and takes care of us kids (all 9 including in-laws) to let us know he loves us. Solomon works full time and does his best to spoil his family to show his love. Stephen became a single dad just to be able to keep his children and then married me...need I say more?
Celebrate the dads in your life. Let them know you appreciate and love them for all of the sacrifices they make.
I hope you celebrate the dads in your life. This short (figuratively) post doesn't do these men justice. There are at least 8 other men in my family group that should be up here, but there isn't time nor words enough to do them justice.
Praying for you all! Love you all! Go tell those dads that you appreciate and love them! SPOIL THEM!
.JPG)
