To the Father of My Children

Dear Stewart, 

I say so many things to you, but I rarely say the ones that matter. I ask you to put on his shoes, or warm up her bottle, or give him a bath, or change her diaper. I ask you to unload the dishwasher, or install new toilet seats, or just keep them occupied for five more minutes, please. 

Since the moment our first child was born, you've sacrificed pieces of yourself in order to make us happy.

You've stepped up in incredible ways that I never could have imagined. It's never been easy, and more often than not it's involved some sort of bodily fluid. But every single day, you do the best that you possibly can, and it is always more than enough.

As I've watched you become a dad I've fallen, impossibly, more in love with you. I know I don't always show it, through the stress and the sleep deprivation and the frustration, but I do see you. I watch as you continually bend over backward for our kids. I listen and smile as you make believe with our son, and as you coax a big, gummy grin from our daughter.

Your support and love help make me a better mom. Thank you for being on the same team as me, and for learning and growing and changing with me as we've built this family together. You are my rock.

I know I don't have to thank you for loving our children. But still... thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You are our son's first hero and our daughter's first love. I'm so grateful to be raising these amazing tiny humans with you.

And if I had to choose again, I'd still choose you.

Happy Father's Day.