Happy Birthday Daddy!

Today is my Daddy's birthday.  We are heading to the local pizza place to celebrate.  All the kids who live locally are going to be there.  Good thing they have a BIG back room!  Its going to be SO much fun!  We also have gotten him the best present but I will wait to disclose it in case Daddy's reading!

Dad was number 4 out of 5 and when he was growing up he was a little bit of a daredevil/juvenile deliquent.

He spent 8 years in the Navy, entering as soon as he graduated from high school.  Daddy has some war stories that he shares occasionally, some new ones that I hadn't heard growing up.

He chose to leave the Navy shortly after I was born (this is my older brother).  He wanted to be a dad that his children knew daily, not just at the end of a cruise.

This is the complete family.

I remember my Dad being a hard working man.  Mom stayed home with us kids.  I remember great vacations down the shore with the family and other friends.  Dad was always at the school functions and sports games.

And then he lost the love of his life.  But she was replaced by:

Jakes is only hours old here.  He helped to heal us.

We would meet every Wednesday for dinner.  We would get together and talk on the phone other times too but Wednesdays were set.  Dad would take pictures of Jakes, go home and print them and email them to everyone he knew.  He was SO proud of his grandson.

He told me that once Jakes was potty trained, he would babysit for me.  And he has!  Jakes still goes to his house everyday after school now.  They have the best relationship.

Dad healed a bit and met Renie.  She fit into the family easily.  She quickly became another grandmother for Jakes and makes Dad very happy.

My Dad is there for me when I need him. No matter what I am asking for, he tries to give it to me.  I am still Daddy's Little Girl.  I hope that I can always be that with him.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

I love you!