Though he’s not on social media, I must acknowledge Sean for not only being a great father to Quinn but a loving dad. He shows Quinn her true worth and how she deserves to be treated, especially as she continues to blossom into a young lady. Father’s Day and everyday, I’m grateful for their daddy daughter bond.
All the best,
Tanya
In an effort to celebrate a “Father’s Day” for a person worthy of the title “dad,” I decided to break tradition and take my husband somewhere new to enjoy a brunch fit for a king. Founding Farmers, that our daughter Quinn, mistakenly and jokingly called “Founding Fathers,” was well received.
What makes this place special is everything is made in-house from the bread to the beverages, and local farmers contribute. It made me think about the relationship between my husband and daughter. It’s naturally organic and something so authentic about their connection. Admittedly, I do feel that their father/daughter relationship is not necessarily better but different than our mother/daughter relationship. They have something special that cannot be recreated: a strong bond. For that I am grateful.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers, fathers-to-be, like a father, uncles, pop-pops, etc. This is your special day!
All the best,
Tanya
We arrived about a half hour early for our Father’s Day reservation, and I anticipated having to wait a little while to be seated. But that wasn’t the case at all. A gentleman ahead of of didn’t even have reservations and was given the option of indoor or outdoor seating because there was plenty of seating available. This is the complete opposite of Mother’s Day where reservations must be done at least two months in advance, and if you arrive without one, the host just might laugh you out of the restaurant.
This instance reminds me of how much of a rare gem my husband is to me and our daughter. Though he’s not much of a picture taker and isn’t on social media, I’m grateful for his presence and happy that I’m not taking these “baby steps” as a parent alone, as many mothers sadly do.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers, fathers-to-be, like a father, uncles, pop-pops, etc. This is your special day!
All the best,
Tanya
From the moment they locked eyes minutes after her birth, my daughter has always been a “daddy’s girl” and my husband has been wrapped around Quinn’s finger.
While there’s been a few moments when I must abashedly admit that I’ve been envious of their bond, my appreciation for their relationship far outweighs that. Not all little girls have a father they happily call “daddy,” and not all men are “happy” to be present fathers on their child’s life.
I don’t let Father’s Day dictate when to celebrate my husband for being a great father and try to make him feel loved and appreciated year round, but I do love using that as his extra special day to feel honored because there’s no way I would be able to have come this far taking “mommy” baby steps without him by my side helping to raise Quinn.
Happy Father’s Day to all of the fathers, fathers-to-be, like a father, uncles, pop-pops, etc. This is your special day!
All the best,
Thana
Some people grew up never knowing their father. Others knew of their father but only as being a deadbeat or emotionally or physically physically absent from their lives. Then there’s those who are lucky like my daughter to have a great dad in her life who’s caring, present and loving.
Quinn is totally a daddy’s girl, and I don’t blame her. If I had a dad like hers, I would be too! Happy Father’s Day to all of those who are great daddies to their children and raising them to be wonderful people.
All the best,
Tanya
Before my daughter took her first steps, I remember her coasting by holding onto furniture or even using my leg or her dad’s leg so she can stand up and balance. Though she’s now seven years old and can walk, skip, run and jump, she still holds onto my hand on many occasions.
While my blog may be called “Mommy’s Baby Steps,” I must give credit to my husband, Quinn’s dad. His presence on my site is rare since he’s not a very public person, but he’s been walking with me as we support each other in parenthood from day one. He’s been a wonderful father who is loving towards our daughter and builds her up with confidence.
Even though they have a special bond quite different than the one I have with Quinn, perhaps even stronger, I admire their relationship. Knowing that he’s occasionally holding my hand and giving me the balance I need allows me to feel more confident in my ability as a mother to take steps towards raising a well-rounded, caring, independent and intelligent daughter.
Sadly, on Father’s Day, some may say, “I don’t even know who my father is!” or they may have a fractured relationship with him. For me, it’s the former, and I’m at peace with that since the relationship was toxic. That’s why I’m so grateful my daughter has her father in her life showing her the steps a man should take to be there for his little girl.
Wishing him and all of the stand-up fathers, pop-pops, uncles and father-like figures a wonderful Father’s Day! I couldn’t imagine nor do I want to do this without him.
All the best,
Tanya
Ever heard the phrase, “You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family?” If you think about it, this is only partially true. While I didn’t get to pick my own parents, I did get to pick who I would start a family with. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the best relationship with my father and was often emotionally and verbally abused by him (when my mother was not present) as a child causing me to lack self-esteem and often feel depressed. I was elated when my parents divorced because I was no longer subjected to my father’s ill treatment and vowed that I would try my best to protect my future child from suffering the same fate at the hands of her own father.
Gratefully, I was lucky enough to find a dear friend and significant other of nearly twenty years, and we’ve been married going on eight years. Sometimes, we fall in love with people but don’t take the time to envision how they will be as parents or they unpleasantly surprise us once we’re married revealing a person we didn’t realize was there. With this in mind, I feel so blessed that how I envisioned my husband as a parent based on his beliefs and values actually surpassed that for which I was hoping. It has allowed me to love him even more over the years.
From day one in the hospital after I gave birth, he was there, instantaneously in love with his daughter. He’s so caring and in tune with her needs. He offers her praise and positive reinforcement, and she just can’t get enough of him. Though my daughter and I have a great relationship and bond, If I’m honest, at times, I long for the special closeness they have. Quinn is not just a daddy’s girl, but my husband is definitely a daddy wrapped around his little girl’s finger.
For Father’s Day, he just wanted nothing more than to stay at home spending time with our little six year old, and she just wanted the same. On this day and every day, I am grateful not just for a caring husband but for a loving father who’s showing his little girl her true worth and how she deserves to be treated not just through his words but his actions too.
Here’s to all of the strong fathers and father figures, who offer physical, mental and emotional support and love, not just to their children but the mothers of their children too! May it be returned back to you ten fold.
All the best,
Tanya
“Guess what I got you, Daddy!” my daughter urged her father as she handed him a gift bag. “A puppy!?” he asked jokingly. Quinn then laughed saying, “No, it’s not a puppy, silly daddy!” My husband looked inside the bag and pulled out a picture cube with each side displaying photos of him and his special girl. After thanking her and getting a big hug, she excitedly presented him with a cake from his favorite bakery for father’s day. “No cake for breakfast though, Daddy!” she told him as his eyes lit up eager to get a slice.
Beyond favoring each other, my husband and daughter have such a special bond and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. I am grateful that my husband is physically, emotionally and intellectually present as a father. He loves playing games, reading stories or just watching cartoons with our daughter. He doesn’t mind answering her many questions, having tea parties and an endless range of activities with her. There is no doubt that he makes her feel special and loved.
Seeing how happy they both make each other makes me that much more happy. I am grateful for the closeness and love within our family. On this father’s day, I hope my husband feels a little more love and a little more appreciation because he absolutely deserves it.
Here’s to all of the stand-up, wonderful fathers around the world.
All the best,
Tanya
“Today is a special day. It’s Father’s Day, Mommy!” my daughter told me this morning. “I can’t wait to give Daddy his special gift. You see, it says, ‘Fishing you a Happy Father’s Day instead of wishing you a happy father’s day.’ Isn’t that clever?” She added, “They’re Swedish fish: Daddy’s favorite! Isn’t that great!” It melts my heart to see Quinn so excited to celebrate her dad. I’m extremely grateful for the close bond they have. She really is his little twin in so many ways, and I look forward to seeing them both grow together as father and daughter bringing out the best in each other.
All the best,
Tanya
On Mother’s Day, my husband joked about how restaurants are booked to capacity, yet on Father’s Day you can just walk in the day of with no reservation and be seated immediately. While he said this lightheartedly, the reality is that there are many children without fathers or father figures in their lives. He is such a wonderful and caring father and very involved in our daughter’s life. He even works from home two days a week to be home with her.
As soon as Quinn woke up this morning, she asked, “Is today Father’s Day?” When I responded, “Yes it it.” She smiled and belted out, “Yipee! It’s Father’s Day! We get to give presents to daddy.” Though my blog focuses mainly on my journey as a mom to my now three year old little girl, I could not imagine this journey without my husband. He’s always been a great and giving person since I’ve known him, but watching his journey as a father and observing him develop a bond with our daughter has brought us even closer and makes me love him even more.
My hope is that he feels appreciated not just on father’s day but everyday. I wholeheartedly appreciate all that he does for our little girl and our family. Here’s to all of the fantastic fathers out there: Happy Father’s Day!
All the best,
Tanya
Mommy's Baby Steps 