The Men in Our Lives

"Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a dad." - Anne Geddes

Throughout our lives we have had amazing examples of great men and fathers.

When I was young I can remember looking forward to the day that I would get to go spend time with my dad. It didn't matter what we did, I just couldn't wait to spend time hanging out. Some of my favorite memories with my dad were going to see the horses, or playing at the zoo, or just stopping in a random field to fly a kite. Since I never lived with my dad as a kid I was excited to move to Orem so I could be closer to him and see him more often. My dad taught me to work hard and he is the hardest working person I know. Yet, he is always up for a good time and never lost the kid in himself.

Chris has been in my life since I was less than two years old. Even though he isn't officially my step dad, I have always thought of him that way. Though we didn't always see eye to eye when I was growing up, but then again how many do with a teenager. He has always treated me like his own daughter. When I was a senior he moved to Cedar City and suddenly he was far away. When I decided to go to SUU it was a comfort to always know he wasn't too far away. He invited us over to dinner every Sunday night, as two poor college student steak and shrimp was being overly spoiled. It was the highly of our week. Whenever we went on vacation Chris was the one who would do the adventurous stuff with me, since my mom is always afraid. Even though sometimes I think Chris was afraid too, but didn't want to let me know. Chris taught me that disipline, hard work, and determination can get you anywhere in life. He taught me to enjoy the beauty in the world and the adventures of life. He was the one who taught me to cook, which is now as an adult is one of my favorite passions. He spoils Jeff and I now that we are married, if it wasn't for his generiousity we wouldn't have been able to have a honeymoon or to be able to go to California in a couple weeks.

Jeff looks up to his dad, more than I think his dad even realizes. I see so many things in Jeff that come from his dad. He's sarcastic sense of humor, his love for reading, his intelligence and love for learning, his love for the gospel, and the way he treats his wife. When I went to Lake Powell with Jeff's family a couple years ago I remember seeing how his dad adored his mother and what a great example he was to Jeff. I know Jeff will be an wondeful father some day, because he has a great dad to have learned from. Like his dad taught him I know Jeff will teach his children all the important things in life.

Happy Father's Day!