Father's day

First off, how stinkin' cute is Miles? So thankful for dear friends who have adorable babies that I can cuddle and photograph and never diaper change. Talk about winning.

So, about father's day. I used to think these holidays were just about hallmark agendas and outdoing one another in gift giving. Jaded? Yeah, totally. When I was a kid I would complain to my parents, "When is KIDS DAY?! Why do you get a day?" and my mom would laugh and say, "Everyday is kids day, Shan." I'm pretty sure I didn't believe her back then but I can see now how true that is. Our parents are the only people on earth willing to sacrifice everything for our wellbeing, day in and day out, from the smallest scale to the largest. Not everyone's parents are this way, and no parent is perfect, but I am unendingly grateful for the family I was born into.

For my family, this year brought with it a lot of trial, a series of gut-wrenching phone calls with bad news you never wanted to hear, things you didn't even know to prepare for, a lot of chaos, a lot of hospital waiting rooms and unknowable outcomes. (To those reading who don't know the full story, I will tell you that things for my family are looking better and the health issues are becoming more of a "past tense" situation. We're still in the middle of a storm, but I am certain that God is faithful in guiding us.) For me personally, I experienced a lot of grief, confusion, and anger in the past few months. But above all and through all, I have seen goodness from it. Mostly, I feel blessed to know my parents in this season. Even in struggle, they have modeled leadership, faithfulness, grief, resilience, and love for me in ways that are forever etched on my heart. Going through these trials with them has shaped me as a person and offered me a million ways to grow and thrive. I am so grateful to the Lord for allowing me to have parents of such character. Mom and Dad, I'm so blessed to have you!

So this father's day, I am feeling particularly less jaded about the whole hallmark thing, and mostly just really grateful. So I wanted to give a shout to my dad for being my favorite dude on earth for several irrefutable reasons:

Dad, thank you for setting the standard of what manly facial hair should look like, for teaching me how to tell if a guy is a jerk from a mile away and how to punch said jerk in the face or wherever it would hurt the worst (haven't put this to practice yet, but it's only a matter of time)...

For teaching me how to shoot guns and to always have better aim than my boyfriends, and how to dress like a rockstar, and usually these three things happen at the same time...

For showing me how to have fun in museums even when I'm bored out of my mind while Mom reads ALL the write ups for EVERY painting that ever existed...

For reminding me that I cannot always be the center of attention (although with you, I usually am)...

For helping me realize my dreams for my company and my life every step of the way and reminding me that I never have to dream alone...

For being the first pair of arms I ran to after I was baptized, and for letting me know that you are with me and for me in all of my decisions...

For showing me daily, through every season, what it looks like for a man to love and honor his family...

Most of all, Dad, I give you a shout out just for being you. Even on your worst day, you have not hidden yourself from me. I am thankful to know you and to see you, through cancer and through chaos. I hope you know that whether its the perfect sunshiny day on boat out in the gulf or the yuckiest saddest hospital room day, you are my number one favorite dude and I adore you.