UPDATE: Thanks to Camille, we now have a much better photo of Dad’s shirt! She snapped this photo at the ’07 Jamestown Celebration. Thanks Camille!

This is what cool looks like

Yesterday at church I saw our friend Todd, diligently packing up chairs after the service, his daughter Madison watching and “helping” beside him.

“Hey Todd!” I greeted him

“Hi Kasie! Great to see you guys!”

I gave him a hug and asked him how his mouth was feeling after a recent surgery. He answered in the affirmative, praising God for His faithfulness, thanking us for all our prayers, then suddenly burst out,

“Man, you know what, your Dad is awesome!”

I nodded and smiled proudly.

“I mean he’s just a great guy – a great father and husband. And so funny too! Wow, he can so hilarious!”

We laughed together at the recollection of certain instances where Dad had us doubling over and our sides hurting.

“He’s awesome!” he said again

“We all think so,” I told him. “We truly are blessed, Todd.”

“You sure are!” he nodded his head vigorously, as if it was the only way he could express himself, then returned to his work stacking chairs.

I remember thinking afterwards that Dad probably said or did something in particular to be so impressed upon Todd’s heart, but then, Dad wasn’t even at church that morning! He had to work overtime.

Dad gains respect everywhere he goes. He provides selflessly for us, his family, and guards us with his life. He makes us laugh, he encourages us, instills wisdom into our hearts, and teaches us to love God.

I smiled as I watched Todd wheeling chairs away into a back room. Dad doesn’t even have to try to be Superman to make an impression like that: he only has to be himself.

Oh, how blessed I am! I don’t even know how much.

So Dad, it doesn’t have to be Father’s Day or your birthday for me to tell you I love you, and I’m so proud to be your girl!

Here’s to the coolest, greatest, most awesome Dad in the world! Hip, hip, HUZZAH!

~a loving daughter (Kasie)