A Tough Act To Follow | Anchors Aweigh

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March 28, 2014

A Tough Act To Follow

I talk a lot about my relationship with Parker and our adventures together on this blog. I grew up wanting to get married and have a family, and Parker truly was and is an answer to prayer. I didn't have a list of qualities or attributes I wanted in a husband, but I knew the type of person I wanted to marry. This "type" would be a Christian, someone who strives to be better each day, someone who puts their family's and others' needs before their own... I knew the type I was looking for.
 
They say you look for a man like your father when searching for a husband, particularly if you had a positive childhood experience. My dad is my hero and always has been, and while my childhood may not have been perfect, it was honestly perfect. I grew up in a home full of love, full of people who really, truly loved me. I idolized my dad growing up and still do. I have never met a man who can instantly make people feel at ease, who can make you feel like what you're saying is important and matters, and who shows true selflessness day in and day out like my father does. Parker had a tough act to follow. 
 
He and my dad aren't the same person by any means, but they share a lot of the qualities I love most about my dad: dedication to work and family, love, compassion, honesty. My dad "gave me away" almost 3 years ago to go out and make a life with my husband. It's a nice idea in theory, your dad giving you away to the man of your dreams. I am Parker's wife and love my identity as this, but a piece of my heart will always, always belong to my dad. After all, he's the first man I ever loved.

Today, the man I have idolized my whole life, who has become my confidante and best friend, turns 50. Today, I just feel blessed. I feel blessed to be his daughter. I feel blessed that God chose him to lead me through life. I feel blessed that in addition to a father/daughter relationship, we have a solid friendship. I just feel blessed.

Happy birthday, Dad. I love you so much.







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17 comments :

  1. This post gave me goosebumps! So much love :)

    - Alex @ Radiating Sunshine
    alexmhons.blogspot.com

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  3. Happy Birthday to your Dad! I haven't met him but he seems wonderful! And also you hit the gene pool lottery because he makes 50 look young haha!

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  4. This is so sweet! Happy birthday to your dad! I feel the same about mine.. I will always be a daddy's girl
    Katherine

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  5. This is so sweet. I am such a Daddy's girl so I totally understand! Happy Birthday to your Dad.

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  6. Happy birthday to your dad! Those are some really precious photos of you and your dad! It's amazing how we look up to our dads. When I first married Adam, there were some things that I expected of him that my dad did but I have had to learn that my husband is not my dad. My dad will always be there for godly advice, never giving his opinion or intruding but will be there for both of us if we need him. Ack! Sorry for the long comment. It sounds like you have a pretty amazing dad!

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  7. I hope your Dad has a wonderful birthday! Such a sweet post. :)

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  8. Your photos are so sweet! Happy birthday to your dad! I'm glad you have that great example in your life :)

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  9. Thats incredibly sweet and lovely! Dads are one man that will always hold a special spot - no matter if perfect or not! Very sweet xx

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  10. I love these pictures!!! My dad and husband are alike but not the same person. Glad that we found such great men to marry!!

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  11. I love, love, love this post. I have such an awesome relationship with my dad too. He's an amazing guy. My parents got divorced when I was young and he became a single parent. He sacrificed so much for us! He was def. a tough act to follow!

    ~Ashley @ A Cute Angle
    acutelifestyle.blogspot.com
    *join the Monday Madness link up!*

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  12. Absolutely gorgeous photos! Your dad sounds like an amazing man--hope he had a great birthday!

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  13. Your dad sounds a lot like my dad. We're so lucky to have killer dads like this!

    http://cheriarmour.com

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  14. Aww, this was so sweet! And those pictures are stunning! You were a very beautiful bride.

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  15. I hope your dad had a great birthday! This post is the sweetest.

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