I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home... Glad as I can be!!

*I've been wanting to post about this for weeks, with it being Father's Day and all I thought I'd finally pull the floating words/thoughts out of my head & type it out.*

I love when Jeff gets home from work, perhaps my clapping & shouting are for different reasons than the kiddos... but gladness is gladness, no matter the reason. Even though it means my burdens will be lightened for the evening, it is a delight to hear the garage go up. When I hear it I look at the kids, because I love watching their faces light up. There is usually some shouting & smiles, combined with "DADDY!" I love seeing how thrilled they are at his arrival. Some days there is even running & hiding.

This daily event brings back so many memories of my childhood. We loved hearing the garage open each evening marking the arrival home of my step-dad, Boyd. We would run & hide as fast as we could, so we would be tucked into what we thought was a great hiding spot (even if it was the same one we often used) waiting for Boyd to come find us. I remember fighting so hard to stifle my giggles as not to be found too quickly. And when we were found we would laugh, squeal, & giggle.

I loved this daily ritual as a child, & now as an adult I look back on it with much fondness. Watching my kids show the same thrill to see their dad makes me so happy. I love seeing my kids love for their dad. I love that I get to spend my days with them, missing nothing, forming great bonds. Jeff spends the evening playing with them creating a special bond with them as well. Now looking back, despite the fact that Boyd & I definitely butted heads when I was a stubborn, mouthy, teenager I see how much he really did love me. I see how those earlier years of my childhood were so vital in creating the wonderful bond/friendship that Boyd & I now share. I am so grateful for an amazing step-dad that could be an example of what I wanted in a husband.

So perhaps even though my excitement for Jeff's arrival is selfish at times, I am now able to look at his arrival, & the chaos that tends to follow, as a wonderful & yet important building block of my children's lives. I can clap my hands & shout for joy, for a few reasons!