At 28, I found myself a single mom, dreading the thought of raising two children by myself. Pat was then 6 yrs old and Justin barely 1. Abandoned and alone, I struggled every day to be both father and mother to these two young kids. At that time, I never thought I would find someone who would accept me, much less love me and the two kids without reservations.  But this darn amazing dude was determined to prove me wrong, and prove me wrong he did.

From Day 1, he stepped up to the plate and became Dad. This, alongside the many things that I love about him, is something that I will always be thankful for. He’s a wonderful, wonderful father to all our kids. I saw how he almost teared up as he danced with Pat on her 18th birthday and how he stresses just like any dad would when she’s out on a date. I am witness to how he beams with pride when Justin plays the piano or throws the perfect pitch. I enjoy watching him play hide and seek with Sophie and laugh as she jumps on his back with Pua and Jingles while he does push-ups.

 

 

 

To my husband Vinz, I thank you for being dad to our kids, for giving me Sophie, and for choosing to love Pat and Justin as your own. I thank you:

  • For helping me raise God-fearing, kind, loving, and responsible children
  • For allowing yourself to be vulnerable and opening up your heart to the challenges of being a dad to two kids who have been emotionally wounded
  • For teaching them the value of discipline, education, hard work and being well-rounded
  • For giving them structure and helping them form the right habits, because “how you are at home is how you are outside”
  • For being a good provider and making sure we have everything we need, and some of the things we want
  • For being a cool, fun and hands-on dad and for always reminding me that it’s not the material things that the kids will remember, but the memories of the time you spent with them
  • For all the yummy and nutritious meals that you cook for us, and for teaching the kids  that “whatever is on the table, (including vegetables, especially vegetables!), that’s what you eat, don’t go looking for something else.”
  • For being humble enough to acknowledge that, as awesome as you are, you are also not perfect, and like me, can also screw things up. After all, parenting did not come with a manual, and we are also partly products of our own upbringing. I appreciate you more for talking things out with me and listening to what I have to say during those times.

I know that I try to tell you this every chance I get, and I will never get tired of doing so. I am forever grateful for your unconditional love. I am blessed to have you as my husband, and the kids for having you as their dad. It may sound cliche, but you truly are their hero. God must have seen my heart and my pain, and said “My child, enough of this suffering, you deserve better” and hand-picked you to be my partner. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We hope we make you feel as loved and happy as you make us.

Happy Father’s Day!