
When I was pregnant with Brandon, I had a really awful delivery. Some minor complications after the delivery left me in and out of consciousness for a bit. Every time I would come to, I would panic…THE BABY! And every time I opened my eyes, there was Todd rocking him, soothing him, feeding him, and loving him. As we were getting ready to leave the hospital, I remember being in the shower worried about how in the world I was going to dress this tiny little thing without hurting him and prepare him for our trip home. I came out of the bathroom and there was Brandon, all dressed and ready to go, lying on Todd’s chest. From that moment on, I knew my kids would always be in the best of hands.
Todd took to parenting in a way I never did. It was so natural to him. You can’t teach that, it just is. When I worried, he wondered. When I stressed, he smiled. What I saw as a huge responsibility, he saw as a huge adventure. It’s still that way. He always saw parenting, not as an equal obligation so much, but as an equal journey he was so blessed to be part of. When Brandon was just a couple weeks old, I left him with Todd while I went out to run some errands. I remember seeing a friend who stopped me and asked where the baby was. I replied that he was home with Todd. She looked genuinely shocked. Her exact words were, “I can’t believe you’re letting Todd babysit him this soon.” I was speechless. “He’s his dad, not his babysitter” I countered,” and he is more than capable.” And he was. I was unable to breastfeed Brandon so Todd became an efficient bottle maker, making them in big batches so I didn’t have to do it. Even though he was working, we had a system at night. Anything the baby needed before 2:00 a.m. was my responsibility, anything after 2:00 a.m. was his. (We came up with this because I was a night person and he was a morning person!). While pregnant
with Catie, I was put on bed rest for 6 months. Todd worked, cooked, kept the house as best he could, took care of two-year old Brandon, and took care of me every day
for those 6 months. Once Catie came along, he never even flinched. He was as comfortable with two as he was with one. He has a remarkable gift.
Todd is devoted to Brandon and Catie in a way that’s truly humbling. He’s involved, but knows how to give them space. He’s fun, but knows when to lay down the law. He’s proud, but keeps things in perspective. He’s their friend, but also their parent. He cooks for them, he attends everything they participate in, he plays with them, and most importantly, he loves them unconditionally. He’s patient, kind, loyal and generous.
If they don’t now, my kids will soon realize what a special dad they have.
So thank you Todd. Thank you for being more than I could ever ask for in a father to my children. Thank you for being all the things I’m not. Thank you for allowing the kids to see the world from your perspective. Thank you for always being ready for an adventure with them and helping them experience the fun side of life. Thank you for providing for them and working so incredibly hard to give them the life I know you believe they deserve. Thank you for always being so involved in their lives and making them feel like the most important thing in the world...because they are. But most of all, thank you for the peace of mind in knowing that should anything ever happen to me, they have and always will be in the best of hands.
Happy Father's Day! We love you!