To the Father of my children,

Every day I watch you become yet a better Dad. A great father that makes all the difference in our children's lives. A pillar of strength, support and discipline.

Your work is endless and, oftentimes, thankless. But in the end, it shows in the sound, well-adjusted children you are raising. On Father's Day, I would like to tell you how much I appreciate your work as a father. One that loves their children, but doesn't let them get away with mistakes. One that teaches them to appreciate things and never take what they have for granted. One that is open-minded, you understand that times, people and tastes change over the years, and don't try to maintain some gold standard of your own time. 

You know how to have fun with our kids, taking them out to play tennis, ski, and supporting their activities by attending their performances. You take the time to listen to their worries and have a good, easy chat with them. You also make time to tickle and tease them, every night if necessary.

You lead by example, you are above the old "do as I say, not as I do" credo. You teach our kids to deal with conflict with a family member and with others by being firm but reasonable at the same time. You also illustrate the importance of affection by professing your love for their mother in front of them. In all, you adhere to the values you'd like our children to follow.

You also are our children's public defender, standing up for them when needed. You wait for privacy to administer discipline. A safety net, a great father, you are the person our kids turn to when things go wrong.

You challenge them, you want them to be the best they can be, and give them challenges that help them grow as human beings. 

You teach them lessons. As a father figure you are the prime source of knowledge in the ways of men, and teach our kids accordingly. From shaving to being courageous, a father who molds his children into well-rounded members of society. You especially instruct them in proper etiquette, on being honest and keeping their word, and on being thankful.

You protect our Family, No Matter What! As the main provider of security and necessities, you will do whatever you can for this family. You show unconditional love. Even though you get upset at our children's faults and may lament that they did not attain what you hoped for them, you love them no less for it. This is your greatest quality! 

I am so proud of sharing this journey with you! there are no words to explain what I mean, yet...I came across this anonymous poem that beautifully describes Dads.

Love you!

I'm sure, like me, you often feel

When all is said and done

The job of raising kids today

Is not an easy one.

I'm glad you're there beside me

To counsel and advise

And help me find the answers

To their never ending "whys?"

I'd be lost without your shoulders

So much broader than my own

To lean upon when problems

Seem too big to solve alone.

As long as we're together

We can weather storm and strife

And take in stride the ups and downs

That go with family life.

And someday when our little ones

Are old enough to stand

Straight and tall without the need

Of any helping hand--

We won't recall how hard it was

We'll just be proud and glad

We happened to be chosen

For the roles of Mom and Dad!