The Strong Voice at the Heart of Us

(Chris prefers to not be featured in my blogs… but once in awhile it’s okay, right!?)

There’s a strength in him that speaks.

He is not quiet. He is not passive.

He has opinions, plenty of them, and he doesn’t hold back when something matters.

He is the voice that challenges, that questions, that expects more, because he believes in us, in our children, in this life we’ve built together.

As the father of our children, he is our anchor, firm and unshakable, holding us steady in both calm and storm.

He plans our adventures with precision.

Vacations are his specialty, not just where we go, but how we get there, what time we leave, where we’ll eat, how long the drive will take.

He maps the details, solves the logistics, and ensures that joy has a strong foundation to stand on.

He wants it to be right, and it nearly always is, because he cares that deeply.

Love, for him, is making sure we land somewhere safe, somewhere beautiful, with snacks in the cooler and a plan in our pockets.

At home, he moves with purpose.

He sees what needs to be done, and he does it.

He tends to the roof, the yard, the leaky faucet, the trash bins, the oil changes, the thousand invisible things that keep us running.

This house stands strong because he takes care of it, just like he takes care of us.

And yes, his expectations are high.

But only because he believes in the people he loves.

He believes our kids can do hard things, that they have the strength to rise, the grit to push through.

They know, deep in their bones, that he is always in their corner.

They know he will show up. That he will fight for them. That he will never stop expecting greatness from them, because he sees it so clearly.

His love may not always be soft, but it is fierce.

It is loyal. It is honest.

It is in the way he pushes them to think deeper, work harder, stand taller.

It is in the way he sees who they are, and who they can become.

And me? I love him for all of it.

For the strong opinions.

For the steady hands.

For the planning, the sharp wit, the love that shows up in action after action after action.

He is our protector, our compass, the one who makes sure we’re not just drifting, but moving forward with purpose.

So today, I honor the father of my children.

For being real.

For loving loudly. For guiding firmly. For staying grounded in who he is, and in what he wants for his family.

We are better, stronger, and braver because of him.

I see you. I love you. Always.

Thank you for being the father, the Hepartner, the protector, and the heart of this family.

This one’s for you.