Celebrating dad on Father's Day
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Dad and the three girls take a stroll through the neighborhood as they debate which ice cream flavor is the best.
By Jane Han
Here in the U.S., today is Father’s Day, that time of the year when we get to celebrate dads for all the wonderful things they do.
Just three years ago, the only father I closely knew and loved was my own father. Loving, patient, sweet and kind, he was and still is the best dad a girl could ever ask for.
But now, three years later, after the birth of my three daughters, there is another father who stepped into my life ― my husband. A man who used only to be my husband is now a special dad to our three children.
Seeing the guy who once claimed he did not like kids transform into a father of not just one, not two, but three children, including a set of twins and then another one only a year apart, has been quite interesting in itself.
People who know my husband know that he can come off as a pretty serious and rigid individual. You’d be lucky to catch a joke coming out of him.
But just earlier this morning, I saw him playing a combination of hide-and-seek and tag with the girls, running all over the house, screaming with laughter. I don’t know who was laughing harder, him or the kids.
I asked him twice to change Lauren’s diaper and help get Ellen and Ann dressed as I was preparing breakfast and doing about half a dozen other things at the same time. But for dad, playing with the girls and enjoying the moment is more important.
Darn, why can’t I be like him?
Why am I always the party pooper who makes all the boring rules?
Come to think of it, that’s how things have been since we took on our titles as mom and dad.
My husband is the one who keeps the girls giggling so he can strategically brush their teeth and make his way into the corners. I usually use the you-better-keep-your-mouth-open-or-else method.
After work, he leaves the day’s stress and frustration behind and comes walking in the door ready to play wrestle with the girls straight away. He makes up crazy food fantasy stories to cajole the kids to finish up their final couple of bites. He distracts the girls from the intended purpose of bath time by making enough bubbles to lose the kids in.
Let’s just say, he’s generally the fun parent.
I’m the Type A personality parent who is always organizing, planning and trying to predict the future to minimize any and all surprises that may come up with the three little ones.
Before leaving home even for a brief errand, I make sure to equip myself with all the possible necessities I may need for at least three hours ― diapers, two bottles of water, healthy snacks, fresh cut fruit and an emergency pack of gummies.
Meanwhile, my husband is more of a let’s-buy-what-we-need type who thinks spontaneous events are more fun.
Sometimes, or actually quite often, random people ask my kids who they prefer ― mom or dad.
Out of 24 hours in a day, I spend, well, 24 hours with them and my husband spends a measly quarter of that time. But he beats me quite often in the favorite parent league.
I’m not complaining about it and I think he is well-deserving.
I am fortunate and thankful that my beautiful girls can grow up under the wings of a gentle and fun-loving father like him.
I look forward to the many years ahead and how their father-daughter relationship will bloom and flourish as the kids get older.
Seeing them go to soccer practice, attend the girls’ first ballet recital and eventually have a conversation about what kind of boyfriend to bring home will all be dearly special in their unique way, distinct from my own mother-daughter relationship.
OK, never mind the bringing home the boyfriend part. I know for sure that my husband is nowhere near ready to jump into that kind of conversation with his little girls.
Right now, he is the only man our daughters know and love ― their first love.
So on this special day for dads, I want to say thank you to the father of my children.
We make a great team.
Keep up the good work, dad. Love you.