What it Means to Be a Dad.

Howdy friends. I trust all is well in your individual lives. It's Spring and that is a good thing. Baseball season is here. The Toledo Mudhens opening day is today. Abby and I have been taking frequent walks. She likes riding in the stroller. OK enough chatter off we go.

I have been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be a Dad. Now just as an early disclaimer, let me state that I can only speak for myself. I'm a bit of a sentimental softy. Probably more of an emotionally sensitive guy than most. I know most of you see me as this big tough, fighter/brawler, athletic guy, but I've learned to embrace my emotions along the way as well. I am a very proud Father of three children. Spenser and McKenzie are 6 and a half year old twins and are both in first grade. They live with their Mother, about a half an hour west of Toledo and I usually only get to see them on weekends. Abigail is 3 months old.

Spenser Daniel is often referred to by my friends as my "mini-me." He is certainly all boy. Almost everything he does, or at least wants to do, revolves around sports or Lego's. From the moment he wakes up he is a ball of constant energy, constantly in motion. He doesn't really understand why school is important. He gets excellent grades but only because his parents push him to excel. He also has a very sensitive side a lot like his Dad does. He already has shown a tenacious interest in girls. He's told me about looking at "geographic" magazines and I've caught him going through Amy's Victoria's Secret catalogue. I don't encourage or discourage this I just try not to make a big deal out of it.

McKenzie Jean is a beautiful, vivacious, extremely intelligent little girl. Most people agree she is an even blend of her Mother and I as far as her looks go. She is already an avid reader who is reading at a fourth grade level. She loves school and getting good grades come very easy to her. She doesn't always listen well to her teacher or her parents. She is constantly chattering. She is also, typically, super sensitive and her feelings are easily hurt. She could care less about sports but has shown a desire to learn to dance. We've enrolled her in tap and ballet classes and some gymnastics/cheerleader stuff.

Abigail Elizabeth is a gorgeous three month old angel. Introducing her to the world has certainly been a life changing event. I've started to learn what it's like to be a full-time Dad. She likes watching Mickey's clubhouse and Max and Ruby on TV and she loves it when Daddy reads to her out of her Disney Princess story book. Lately her tongue is constantly hanging out driving Amy nuts. Amy blames this on me since I've attempted to teach Abby to stick her tongue out for the last two months or so. I work night shift and come home and take care of Abby all day during the week while Amy is at work. This combination of parenting a baby and sleep deprivation is a challenge but one I'm honored to take on. I never thought I'd have the opportunity to have another child and Abby is truly a blessing.

It's a totally amazing and overwhelming feeling the unconditional love your children give. Nothing warms my heart more than to hear the twins say "I love you Daddy," or seeing little Abby smile from ear to ear. I was talking with my sister Jennifer the other day about not coming from a hugging family. One that rarely uttered the "L" word. I don't want my children growing up like that so I'm constantly hugging them and telling them I love them. I don't want my son growing up thinking that it's wrong for boys to cry. I want my daughters to grow up as princesses and meet companions some day that treat them like queens.

Despite how awesome it is to be a Dad it is by far the greatest challenge I've ever faced in life. I am driven to provide my children a better life than I've had. I want them to have more opportunities than I had. My parenting style is pretty much to expose them to as many different things in life as I can think of and let them find what they enjoy. We've visited Art Museums, fairs, zoos, parks and many other things. We've fished, played baseball, had tea party's and searched for native American arrow heads together. Nothing in life compares to the contented feeling I get when I'm with my children. Being a Dad is the most important job I'll ever have.

Still I wonder about how we are going to afford college when they get to that age. Am I going to be able to afford to help them buy a vehicle when they turn 16? Will I be that cool open-minded Dad who loves and understands or will they force me to be the tough disciplinarian? I've told Abby that I know she will break Daddy's heart at least a thousand times. I thoroughly believe that. I know my children will make many decisions that I won't agree with. I just want them to know that they will never outgrow their Daddy's love.

Much is written by Men about their relationships with their Dads. Why is it there are so few things written by Dad's about their children?

If you get the chance check out this song by Conway Twitty. It's become my motto in life. I sing it to Abby a lot. I try singing it to the twins but they don't sit still long enough. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7XK_zNq930

I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday evening. Hug your children and never let them forget that they are loved.