Tommy is 61!

Today is my Daddy's Birthday!

My Daddy is such a precious man!  I love everything about him.  

I remember when I was little, I used to be mesmerized by how he could whistle.  One day I was in the driveway with him while he was working on the car.  I asked him to teach me and he stopped to show me how to hold my mouth and by the end of the day, I was whistling like a champ. I could do it like him and I thought I was special...  He made me feel like that all the time... special...

My dad was a hard worker when it was time to work, but when he was home, he was totally present. I never felt that his affections were divided between us and anyone or anything else. He was committed, constant, protective, kind and hilarious! He joked with us all the time and I loved being with him. He coached our softball team until we were tired of playing, he brought his big ol video camera (you know the ones with the microphone on the front?! ;) ) and recorded every gymnastic routine I ever did and was there when I cheered in high school.  He always encouraged us to try any new thing we thought might interest us, convincing us we would be great at it. He would have done anything for us.  I knew it then and I'm even more sure of it now.   He led our family in a dedicated pursuit of the Lord and by his example, we saw a daily picture of what the love, faithfulness and mercy of a Heavenly Father might look like.  

He also loved my mama in front of us.  Do you know what a big deal that is?  He gave my sister and me a great gift by letting us see him love her every day. I never wondered from day to day, what my life would look like.  There was an awesome feeling of security growing up in my house.  My daddy set a standard for us and made us confident enough to be picky about the men in our lives.  He treated us like we were worth so much.  I learned early that I could count on him and he's never let me down.    That's who my Daddy is;  loyal, committed, dependable... AMAZING!

I love you Daddy!