Dear Jeremy,
I’ve always loved you, probably from the day we rendezvoused in Iowa City at the mall or sometime shortly thereafter. At that time, love felt something like butterflies in my stomach the entire drive home after you planted that sweet kiss on my lips just before we said goodbye. My love for you grew stronger after the amazingly thoughtful and creative Valentines Day date in 2000. Then, I thought I couldn’t love you anymore than I did on May 17, 2003 when we walked down the aisle as husband and wife! But I was so wrong. My love has just kept growing and growing in the days and months following our wedding day.
And it continues to grow as I’ve watched you flourish in your role as “Daddy.” You never cease to amaze me with the sheer amount of love and affection you show Grant. He is benefiting greatly in so many ways from all the attention he gets from you. I love to watch you make him laugh like only YOU can do. It makes me smile when I see how much you look forward to holding and cuddling him before bed. And it brings a happy tear to my eye when I see how faithfully you pray for him every night and every morning. Grant may never remember these precious moments years down the road, but he’ll grow up feeling and knowing daddy’s unconditional love.
Thank you for the countless hours you’ve spent feeding, burping, changing, bathing, dressing, cuddling and playing with Grant. From day one you’ve been right there without a moment of hesitation to help me out, even in the middle of the night when you have work the next day. I know that you do MUCH more with Grant than most new dad’s, and I have appreciated every bit of that. Looking back, these four months have been the most challenging yet the most rewarding I’ve ever experienced and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you did and continue to do.
If Grant could talk, I know this is what he would say to you on this Father’s Day: “Daddy, you are so funny and cool. I love it when you come home and play with me! I love it when you tickle me and make me laugh. You sure do like to kiss me, daddy, and sometimes your whiskers tickle my face but I like it! Me and mommy have fun during the days, but it’s SO much more fun when we all get to be together. God sure must think I’m special for giving me a daddy like you. Thank you for praying for me a lot. I know God will answer your prayers. When I grow up, I really do want to be just like you – maybe even an FBI agent! But whatever God wants me to be, that’s what I will be. I love you Daddy – you are the best in the whole world. I love you so much.”
Thank you for being the best husband and father I could ever DREAM of having. You are a blessing from above and I respect you for simply who you are – wonderful.
