Pieces of an Extraordinary Man

As you all know, today is Father's Day. Truth be told, I'd forgotten about it until I was on the road home from Logan. But by then, I was driving through what can only be described as a solid sheet of water coming out of the sky, and the thought of doing anything but paying attention to the road never even crossed my mind.

Anyway, I've been thinking about what I'd like to tell the world about my father. To put it simply, there's far too much to really accurately capture what my father means to me. He is my hero. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's true. I wouldn't be where I am today without him.
 
A father's success is often measured by the success of his family. I'm not saying that I'm some monumental success or anything, but I would have achieved far less without his guidance. These are some of the small but meaningful ways my dad has blessed my life:
 
When I was eight, my parents gave me my first set of scriptures. I'd seen my mom's scriptures all marked up, and I wanted to do the same. Unfortunately, I was too young to know much about what to mark, but I did know that I could mark my parents' favorite scriptures. So I asked Daddy what his favorite scripture was. Now, I'm sure he has many favorites, but the one he told me was Alma 37:37:

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

I marked it (a little messily) in bright pink in my scriptures all those years ago. But even more important than those pink, shaky lines in my battered set of scriptures was the fact that I saw my dad live that verse everyday. He still does. I remember it not because I colored it in my scriptures, but because my dad told me it was his favorite verse and then proved it by living it. Through every move, every job or calling change, every child with a problem to be solved, my dad has sought the Lord's counsel and direction in leading his family, and we have been incredibly happy and blessed because of it, regardless of what life is like. Because of that example, I have learned to do the same.
 
Once, during high school, I had a terrible day. It was a culmination of a few months' worth of building pressure and uncertainty. When I finally fell apart (during church, no less), my father leaned over and whispered in my ear that we could leave and go find somewhere to talk. I agreed, and we went and sat in the car. Those precious moments in that Ford Expedition are still among my favorite memories with my dad. That conversation changed my life in some very profound ways. It changed how I viewed my relationships with other people, how I viewed myself, and what I wanted to accomplish in life. If I've ever made you smile because I said something nice, or if I noticed you on a day when you felt invisible, it's because I learned how to do that from my dad, that day in our car. He still has this uncanny ability to notice when I need him, even when he's thousands of miles away. I can't count the number of times he has called me at exactly the right moment, just in time to remind me that he will always love me.

For as long as I can remember, my dad has never failed to show my mom that he loves her. When we were younger, he'd walk in the door and we'd come running to give him hugs and kisses. He was really good about not pushing us away or treating us harshly, but he never let us forget that Mom got his attention first. Once he'd kissed her and said hello, then he'd give us proper hugs and loves. By the time I hit high school, I was well-accustomed to shadowing Dad into the kitchen, where he'd greet Mom. When he finished, I'd sneak in for my hug.
 
I used to think my dad wasn't romantic. I distinctly remember telling my mom that I wanted to marry a man just like Dad--except maybe a bit more romantic. I have no idea whatever possessed me to think that. Maybe I was just too young to realize how much he did for my mom. From showing up on the doorstep with a dozen roses (instead of coming in through the garage door) after work, to doing the dishes for her, to pushing us kids out of the room so that he could give her a proper kiss (though he usually didn't wait for us to leave the room before he did), he's always treated her with the utmost devotion and respect. That show of affection and love spread from both of my parents to us, allowing me and my siblings to grow up in a home filled to the brim with love and a feeling of safety.
 
There is so much more that I can say. Anyone who knows me  has heard me talk about my father, because he (and my mom) are so much more than just the people who raised me. They are my best friends. Both of them. I can pick up the phone and call either of them at any time to tell them anything. A lot of times I'll end up calling them both and telling them the same stories, because I love talking to them.

I've said this before, and I'll say it again: my father is probably the most Christlike man I know. He loves me in spite of my shortcomings, my silly moments of overthinking, and my occasional forgetfulness. He always teaches me with the gentleness that I've come to associate with my feelings of the Spirit. The Savior would do anything for us. Sometimes He lets us suffer, because we need to grow, but when we are suffering, He's always hovering nearby to fill in where we can't and remind us of our divine heritage. He loves us enough to make up the difference, even when we're positive we don't deserve it. I know my Savior because I know my father. On a mortal scale, he has done all of these things for me. The deeply personal connection that I feel with my Heavenly Father is only possible because I have a mortal father who loves me the same way that my Eternal Father does.

So if you ever wonder how I became who I am today, let me point you straight on to the man who raised me. If I can be half the parent to my children that he has been to me, I will be extremely fortunate. Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you.