60 years and a Lucky, Lucky Daugher.

Today is my Dad's 60th BirthdaylI would love, love, love to be spending time with him, but can't.

So...
I've been reflecting on how blessed I am to have this man as my father. My dad is the sweetest, kindest man you'll ever meet. He is honest, fair and loving and a wonderful, earthly example of our heavenly Father's love.

This was one of my favorite moments of my wedding day. I'd dreamed about it and it was everything I could have hoped for and more.

We laugh often about how thoroughly Dad disciplined when we were kids. Being a guidance counselor and educator by trade, he would issue an ultimatum when I misbehaved. Then, when I did it again, he would explain that he was disciplining not because he was mad, but because it was his job to guide us in our lives. When it was all over, we'd cry. Seems to be a theme with us!

But, he's not all serious.

One of the best things about the guy we're celebrating today, is his heart for children.

The other day, while we were talking about the cold weather, Mom casually mentioned that several kids at the school he works at didn’t have coats/boots for the horribly cold weather. So he ran to Wal-Mart and bought some for them. That’s just how he rolls.

He also recognized that many of those same kids have an opportunity to escape the poverty of their refugee (yep, Haitian and Ugandan refugees in Fargo! Brr!) upbringing through their running abilities. So, a couple years ago, he started a track team at the school, picks the kids up for practice, buys them shoes when they don’t have any, and coaches them.

This is the caliber of the man who raised me. Am I blessed or what?

Happy Birthday, Dad.

I wish, more than anything, I could be there to celebrate you.

All my love,

Sarah