I’m so excited to have my friend, Linell Greene, from Happy With Daddy sharing some incredible words for Fathers. If you are a dad or know a dad, trust me they need to hear this. You’ll also want to follow him on all the social because the community he is cultivating is one positive, inspiring, uplifting, change-making place that all parents will want to be a part of. Thank you friend! Happy Father’s Day!

Fatherhood is evolving right before you.

It is transcending, it is changing and it is stretching boundaries at every turn.

If you thought you knew where we were headed yesterday, you should look again at where we are going today. Collectively, we have kicked down the bathroom doors to create conversation about changing tables in restrooms and we’ve knocked on some of the biggest corporation’s doors to put a discussion about paternity leave in their laps. You’ve seen us jump up and down for a gender reveal and you’ve seen us sob on a couch when reading an adoption letter. We’ve entertained you with our dances from all over the world and we’ve caused you to shed a tear at work while watching our military surprise videos. We are changing!! We are working!! We are succeeding!!

I don’t have to sit here and lecture you on how important the role of the father is in a household. I don’t have to spell out for you how much of an impact fathers have on their children’s education, social development and behavior and I surely don’t have to explain how having an involved father decreases a person’s chance of going to jail by 80%.

I’m not here to share all the facts that anyone who logs onto google can tell you.

Rather, I’m here to tell you my personal thoughts as a father. 

You are wanted. You are needed. You are appreciated. If no one has told you these things, let me be the first. I hope that, on this Father’s Day and every day afterward, you understand your worth and your purpose. I hope that you believe that who you are as a man is going to mold the beautiful girl that holds your hand or the handsome boy that rides your shoulder. My hope is that you realize that you can only fail this test of fatherhood if you decide to quit. My vision is that you see yourself, not only as a protector and a provider, but also as a nurturer and a giver. I want you to give the love you never received and provide a crying shoulder that was never lent to you. Most of all, my wish is that you will believe in yourself. I want you to believe that, despite everything that has been thrown your way, you will succeed. That, despite whatever words that try to hold you down, you will rise. I hope you’ll have the strength to cry with a heart of courage.

Dear fathers, understand your value and your role. We are all different and each family has a different dynamic so please take the time to understand what works for you, your family, your situation and your lifestyle. One of the many things I enjoy about fatherhood is the fact that it is not a “one size fits all” role. I get the chance to look at fatherhood from a different angle and through the lives of others every day and, believe me, it’s the diversity that makes it so beautiful. Resist the urge to compare yourself to the father next door and recognize that your unique brand of loving and interacting with your family is precious.

Lastly, I leave you with this: have fun!! We are borrowing time so use it.

Smile often, laugh hard, cry more, share stories, hug frequently and love hard.

Happy Father’s Day to all the amazing men out there.

Love,

Happy With Daddy.