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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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June 14, 2013

A Father’s Love

Daddy is Father's day frame gift www.atthepicketfence.com

I knew my husband would be an amazing Dad from the moment I met him.

Of course, I didn’t tell him that right away. I’m pretty sure that would fall into the creepy “I-just-met-this-girl-and-she-is-already-talking-about-our-non-existent-children” category!

But, I thought it. And I just knew.

The thing is though, that you don’t really know until you know….you know?

making father's day frame atthepicketfence.com

And our road to becoming a mommy and a daddy wasn’t easy. In fact it was downright painful. You can read more about that journey here.

I’ll never forget the moment when I got the call from the adoption agency. I was on my way to Walmart and I had to pull off to the side of the road because I was shaking so badly. They said those words, “you’ve been chosen” and they became the sweetest three words in the English language! I wanted to call my husband right away but I also wanted to have one of those “moments” that all of our friends were having. You know, where the wife surprises her husband with the positive pregnancy test wrapped up like a gift?

making father's day gift

So, I searched and searched the store until I found the perfect way to tell him the news. A little powder blue bib that said, “I love my Daddy!”

I took it home, wrapped it up and laid it on the bed where he would be sure to see it when he got home from work.

He walked in the door and I followed him up the stairs and waited as he sat down on the bed and slowly started removing his shoes. “OPEN THIS NOW!!”, I said. I’m pretty sure he thought I had lost my mind.

He opened the package, pulled out the little bib and said, “oh, that’s cute”. Huh? Wait a minute. That’s the reaction I get? And then it dawned on me. He didn’t realize what it meant. That HE was the daddy on the bib!

So, I told him. Told him he was going to finally be a daddy to a precious little boy arriving in 6 weeks. And we held each other and sobbed.

And I knew.

father's day frame

Knew that this man would be the most amazing father. And that the longing he had to be called “Daddy” would add an incredible layer to this new role in his life.

But, you don’t really know…until you know.

daddy frame

Until you see him holding that precious gift in his arms and the joy on his face at this fulfilled dream. Until you watch him look at that tiny face with complete and utter adoration. Until you see him being followed around by that little boy who would truly follow him to the ends of the earth. Until you watch him allow his “shadow” to “help” him with things around the house with so much patience.

Father's day gift

Until you see him wearing a little dress-up hat and sipping “tea” at the latest party his little girl is hosting in her room. Until you notice the way that little girl’s eyes light up when she sees her daddy walk into a room.

Until you realize that watching him as a father makes you want to be a better mother.

father's day gift ideas www.atthepicketfence.com

And then you KNOW!

Happy Father’s Day Robb! You took all of the dreams and hopes I had for the kind of Daddy my kids would have and blew them out of the water. And the love you show all of us every day gives us a glimpse here on earth of how deeply God, our heavenly Father, loves us. With adoration…and intensity…and no conditions.

Thank you for choosing me to be on this journey with you!

With all the love in my heart and then some,

 

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15 Comments Filed Under: A Labor of the Heart, At the Kids Table, Crafts, Family, Good Ideas, Good Thoughts, Holidays, Kids Tagged With: Father's day gifts, kids gifts for father's day, last minute father's day gifts, simple fathers day gifts

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Comments

  1. At The Picket Fence says

    June 14, 2013 at 10:09 AM

    test

    Reply
  2. Ashley says

    June 14, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    First I got chill bumps and now I’m tearing up. You are right. Sometimes you just know. Thanks for sharing. Hope your hubby and precious children have a great Father’s Day!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      June 14, 2013 at 4:19 PM

      Thank you so much Ashley! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Ashley@AttemptsAtDomestication says

    June 14, 2013 at 7:10 PM

    What a sweet post! Made me tear up!

    Reply
  4. Linda A. Young says

    June 14, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    What a beautiful story of your little family and how you became one! It’s such a joy and gives us hope to hear about devoted dads giving their children lots of attention,loving homes, strong guidance and good examples in these difficult times. God bless your little family! Happy Father’s Day, Rob!

    Reply
  5. Michele says

    June 15, 2013 at 1:30 AM

    What a great idea, the most simple ideas are often the best Lovin’ it! 😉

    Reply
  6. Linda @ it all started with paint says

    June 15, 2013 at 12:07 PM

    What an amazing love letter from you and the kids to your husband!!!! He sounds like an amazing person inside & out!

    (And now I’m feeling guilty that I haven’t prepared a tear-inducing Father’s Day post for my wonderful man. Sigh … maybe next year. 😉

    Linda

    P.S. Somehow I think having my almost 16-year-old and close to 13-year-old decorate a frame may not come out quite so adorable!!! Just saying … 🙂

    Reply
  7. MDR says

    June 16, 2013 at 8:31 PM

    He really is THAT kind of a Daddy to our grandchildren. Mom and Dad

    Reply
  8. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    June 17, 2013 at 5:22 AM

    This is the sweetest post and project, Vanessa! It’s blessed me today — thanks for sharing!
    xo Heidi

    Reply
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  13. Stacey says

    June 9, 2014 at 4:52 PM

    Precious!

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  14. https://imgur.com/6VbBwLA says

    June 27, 2014 at 2:44 PM

    Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a
    sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter
    and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.”
    She put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
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    Reply

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