the man he didn't have to be

when i was pregnant with c, people would ask s how he felt becoming a dad. ask if he felt different. if he worried about connecting with the new baby more than j. how naive.

no one seems to understand the relationship s and j have. they really were made for each other. they have a relationship j and i never will. one of forts, mariokart, questions about life, and lots of wrestling. they just get each other. j never missed a step when s came into our lives. and for s, it was a non-issue. never something we had discuss or work through. we were a family. that was it.

steven, we love you. and i know i joke all the time about how we were fine without you and you aren't our savior and we don't need you. but we weren't fine without you and we do need you. we would be so sad and lonely without you. thanks for being our hero.

dad, i miss seeing you and wish we lived closer. memories of the lake are my favorite. boating, learning to ski, having friends there, morning motorcycle rides to get fireworks, drinking coffee on the balcony. i've always felt closest to you at the lake. we felt like a team. and you've been the best boss i ever had. i loved working for you. i loved watching you work. i am so proud. we're looking forward to seeing you sunday. happy father's day.

ron, we are so thankful for you. thank you for loving my babies. and more importantly, loving my mom. she's happy. almost annoyingly happy. we're thankful she has you. we're thankful we have you, too.

bjc, you're the best. i know without a doubt steve learned how to love from you - without hesitation or reservation. you're the best pawpaw i could have ever prayed for my kids to have. and a pretty good father-in-law, too. you're patient and fun. i know you've created memories with jack that he will never forget.

happy father's day to the incredible men in my life. we're so blessed.