Happy Father's Day

To my loving husband,

What a life we have here, my dear.

One beautiful, charming, hilarious and super-sweet toddler with stunning blue eyes (from you, of course) and a laugh that can melt your heart.  

A precious baby on the way to complete our family.  

A sweet little house with a white picket fence in the most amazing city in the entire world (in our humble opinion).

A great job that you are not only awesome at doing, but you enjoy 100% of the time.  

Oh, and this cute dog that you lovingly refer to as "My Schnauzer" or "My little Professor" because schnauzers look so wise.

And I won't speak on your behalf, but your wife is pretty cool, too.

You may not have expected your life to be like this at age 26, but I hope it's everything you've ever wanted and more.

A walk down memory lane, from your first moment as a dad.

Your first meeting through teary eyes

Father's Day 2009.  Matching outfits for the win!

Cleveland Zoo for your 25th birthday

Quite possibly the best photo of you and Owen, ever.

Hike near Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park

Beautiful blue eyed boys

Teaching Owen new tricks

Handome boys

Making faces to cheer Owen up

Your both so stunning, even when you're not ready for a photo

Flying on Cannon Beach

I can't tell you how lucky Owen is to have such an amazing man for a father.  Let me try anyway.

When I think of words to describe your character, INTEGRITY is always, always, always the first to come to mind.  In my opinion, that's the most important trait for a person to possess.  Owen will grow up to know, as I know, that you can be trusted, you are unfailingly honest, and you live a life consistent with your values.

Next, I think of your COMMITMENT.  You are committed first to us.  We are always your priority, whether it's working to meet our needs or just making sure you have made enough time for us.  Because you want to provide for us and make sure that I can stay at home, you are committed also to your job.  You work full-time (and not an hour more, thank you for that!) and are committed to doing the very best job that you can while you are there.  When I ask if you ever feel like giving less than your best, like you're having an off-day or are feeling tired or unmotivated, you immediately answered firmly- No.  I can tell that you have an amazing work ethic because of all of your achievements, all of the accolades you receive from peers and higher-ups, and how hard they are all working to keep you in the company and happy.  Finally, you are committed to our marriage.  I know you only have eyes for me and I am eternally grateful for that.

I also think of your steadfast LOVE and COMPASSION.  You are a sweetheart in the truest sense of the word.  You are sensitive yet strong, sympathetic to suffering, merciful and tender.  You have a heart for those in unfortunate circumstances, and always want to do what you can to help.  I know that Owen will see the best of what it means to be a man of strength as well as intense love as he grows up.  If we are blessed with a girl, I will be honored to see how you will tenderly care for her and meet her emotional needs so that she doesn't have to have them met elsewhere.

No list of your attributes would be complete without mention of your HUMOR, LEADERSHIP, and INTELLIGENCE.  Those speak for themselves, and are no less important than any of your other traits.  I'm glad we can provide a home full of laughter for our children.

I appreciate every single part of who you are- you complement my personality so well- and I have been blessed to be your wife.  I know that when Owen is an adult he will be thankful for your strong character.  He doesn't yet know what makes a "good man" or a "good father" but as he goes out into the world he'll realize how unbelievably lucky he is.

I love daydreaming with you, laughing with you, exploring with you, and learning from you.  You are an outstanding husband and father, and we are so very grateful for all that you do.

All of our love-
J and Owen (and Baby Tiny)