Glorious Restoration: Happy Father's Day!

These past 6 months have been the most trying 6 months of my life. It's been full of many ups and downs, although let's be real here, mostly downs. But this post isn't about focusing on the trials and hardships. I want to focus on one of the ups - that being my relationship with the man who has been my father for the past 20 years.

Tony and I have always had a great relationship ever since he stepped into my life when I was 5 years old. He truly has filled the role of "Dad" for me, and I honestly don't know how to put into words how thankful and blessed I am. I can't imagine what this time in my life would be like without him.

We have cried and complained together, and we have remembered and laughed together. He has become my new "lunch buddy" during the work week. When my Mom was still here, she and I worked together in the youth ministry at our church, and it was only natural that she was my lunch buddy nearly everyday - whether that meant going home and eating together or grabbing something to-go and sitting in her office eating together. Clearly things have now changed, but I wouldn't want anyone else to be my new lunch buddy than Tony. I cherish our lunch dates, and I am so thankful for all the time it has allowed us to spend together.

Very rarely does a day go by that I don't see Tony or at least talk to him on the phone. He has always meant the world to me, but inexpressibly more now. I would feel completely lost in this big world without him. He truly is a gift from God to me and my brother, Bryan. Bryan and I cried on the phone together the other day talking about how much we miss Mom, but also expressing how thankful we are for Tony and what he means to us. We both struggle to fully put into words our gratitude.

Tony, I hope you know how much Bryan and I love and appreciate (which seems like such an inadequate word) you with all our hearts! Thank you for being our Dad for these past 20 years and for giving of yourself so selflessly over and over again. We love you!