Day 4: A Front-Row Seat

Today I'm leaving my husband to head off on a girl's weekend away. He'll be wrangling the two youngest by himself for a few days.  I'm really excited that my boys are getting some one on one time with their daddy.  I'm also really excited to sleep in. 

Over the past three years, I've had a front-row seat to watch this man of mine become a dad.  His path to fatherhood has been  unconventional from the very start, but he's taken each new opportunity on with enthusiasm and excitement. 

Our first "son," Justin, moved in with us for six months. He was twenty and had already lived two decades with his mom and brother.  I witnessed my husband, just ten years older than Justin, step into his life and become a father.  He listened, intentionally asked questions, challenged his thought process, and offered guidance for his future. 

I've seen Brian become a father who invites his children into what he's doing on a daily basis. With TD, who has been our son for the past year and a half, he has taught him how to handle the yard work, open a bank account, pay bills, interview for a job, and so many other life skills.  He's counseled, disciplined, loved, challenged, and encouraged him to become a man of character and integrity. 

I've watched a bond develop between these two that is undeniable.  Brian has been a father to our J-man since he was two weeks old.  He's changed diapers, held him through the night, cleaned him up when he's been sick, snuggled and wrestled with him.  As soon as he walks through the door, J-man's face lights up and he's running for his daddy.  And his daddy is running for him.   

Brian was the first one to hold Tyson.  If you watch the video of meeting our son for the first time, Brian is the one to reach for him first.  It speaks much to his character.  He has always been willing jump in and do whatever was called for in the lives of his boys.  (I should probably add that you will notice in the video how I then grab Tyson out of Brian's arms about 2.5 seconds later and refuse to let him go . . .)

Today, I'm thankful to have a husband who has filled the role of father in so many unique ways.  All of our boys have lost their biological dads, either through absence or death. Brian has stepped in with courage, humility, and grace to be their dad. 

It has not always gone smoothly, and there have been missteps along the way.  But when Brian has fumbled, he has always asked for forgiveness from his boys, and vowed to respond differently the next time. He's learning right along with them.   

The legacy he is imprinting on their hearts will impact them for generations to come. 

WHO are you thankful for today?