A father doesn’t just appear out of thin air, it takes a lifetime of learning and changing to become a loved and respected father of three adults. These are just a few examples of the links in the chain of 35 years of fatherly evolution.
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| At one point a father is like any other person |
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| Then it starts when a man loves a woman, and she feels sorry for him (haha, naw, she loves him too) |
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| And before long he adds another title of ‘loving father,’ in addition to ‘loving son’ and ‘loving husband’ |
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| He learns to appreciate the precious gift he has been given |
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| He learns they are not only cute but can be rather fun to play with |
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| But as a father he also steps up to provide what they need, food, eventually clothes… |
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| He much teach them the importance of enjoying nature |
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| And how to throw rocks into water |
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| Not to mention having to look excited and surprised every year he gets chocolate covered cherries for Christmas |
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| As a father he continues supporting his children |
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| Realizing that what they most often need is love and to be cared for |
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| And learns that raising girls has its price |
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| But it’s an adventure the whole way |
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And a father continues enjoying every child
that gets added to his group
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| He learns to enjoy every moment together he can get |
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| And many times he accompanies them to the horizon, not knowing what will come next |
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| Eventually a father relives the joys of homework |
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| But all the while standing strong as a man, not only in his family but in his community |
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| Continuously pouring love out to his children |
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| Teaching them to appreciate all sorts of interesting hobbies |
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| Giving them the gift of culture no matter how silly it makes him look |
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| He teaches the nutritional value of a good cone of ice cream |
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| And many times this loving man steps back to help document the lives of those he loves |
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| And no matter how quickly the years roll by, he never loses he ability to care for his children |
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| After all, it’s been his job all along |
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| And through this all, he not only helps shape them, but also helps his children realize who they really are |
No man retires from his job as father, but hopefully no other job produces such rewarding products. This father’s 401K includes 1 loving wife, 3 adoring children, 2 proud children-in-law and 5 bubbling and bright grandchildren.
After our mere 25 years together… I love you daddy.
Brown Bag Adventures 
Great photo essay! And what a sweet Father's Day gift (wish I'd thought of it first!). I especially like the parallel between the picture of your dad bending over the car and the next one of him working on a car years earlier – he's come full circle. Excellent job!
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Thank you so much, Sparky. You have really made being a father worth it. I'll cherish this forever.
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