Happy Birthday, Ray!!

I know this post seems a little misplaced, but for my Dad's 65th birthday, I decided to write down "65 Reasons Why I Love My Dad". Since Ray is such a huge part of Jameson's life, I wanted to share it here too, so that he always has this to remind him why we love our Ray so very much. I can only hope that one day Jameson feels this way about me and Darin and has the kind of relationship with us that I do with my parents. We love you so much Ray and thank you for all you have done to make our lives so full!!

65 Reasons Why I Love My Dad

1.    He loves us unconditionally

2.    He is creative

3.    He is best buddies with Jameson

4.    He spoils us all

5.    He wrote our Father Daughter Dance song

6.    He is funny

7.    He took me to Dairy Queen every Friday after school

8.    He is so talented when it comes to writing

9.    He ordered Pizza World pizza for us when we were little

10. He raised us to love baseball

11. He loves his wife

12. He is quirky

13. He has always been our protector

14. He is hard working

15. He is silly

16. He has a huge soft spot for his grand kids

17. He can make us all laugh

18. He is loyal

19. He is intelligent

20. He is a political guru

21. He is curious

22. He is grateful for what he has in life

23. He dealt with a household of girls for many many years...including multiple female dogs too!

24. He does not believe in excuses - I learned this regarding my curfew a few times!

25. He protects his daughters when it comes to anything

26. He is strong willed

27. He is a good brother

28. He is 100% Republican and quite vocal about it

29. He likes to collect things

30. He loves music

31. He loves to write

32. He is a romantic at heart

33. He made me believe I could do anything

34. He made my college education possible

35. He can make some of the fluffiest pancakes

36. He let me make mistakes and taught me how to learn from them

37. He shared in our camp and choir tour experiences - some of which are my fondest memories

38. He bought me a stuffed animal every time I was sick - I have a lot of stuffed pandas!

39. He bought us milkshakes or lemon lime freezes when we didn't feel well

40. He loves motorcycles. He dreams of having one.  He will NEVER have one as long as my Mom, my sister and I am alive to stop him

41. He is generous

42. He is supportive

43. He is reliable

44. He held us accountable

45. He can whistle louder than anyone I know

46. He is a big sports fan

47. He makes other dads pale in comparison

48. He used to do my hair before school sometimes

49. He is honest

50. He is an amazing grandpa. The grand kids all adore him 

51. He is a good listener

52. He is passionate about life
53. He believes in his children

54. He believes in his grandchildren

55. He used to watch Guts with me while we ate yummy snacks

56. He is fun-loving

57. He sends me beautiful flowers every year on the first day of school even though I have been out of school for many years!

58. He is a goof ball and will be the first to admit it

59. He was always the best tickle monster and now the grand kids have discovered that!

60. He served his country

61. He serves his family

62. He is brave

63. He is wise

64. He would sacrifice anything for his family 

65. He is my Dad! The best Dad in the world.  And even though he is turning 65, I can still call him Daddy.

 

On your 65th birthday I want you to know that I love you more than you'll ever know. I am so grateful to have a parental unit that has devoted themselves to life, love and raising children.  What a gift you are to me and everyone who meets you.  I am so blessed.  I wish everyone could have a Dad (and of course my equally fabulous Mom) - like you.