Father’s Day has always been such a wonderful day of celebration in my life. I am blessed with the best Dad and I was able to grow up celebrating him on this day, each year. When Mike and I got married I got to add my father-in-law into the celebration and this day was always a positive one.
When Mike became a dad I always tried to make this day special for him. Celebrate him. Granted, most Father’s Days he had to work but we always celebrated in some way.
Now Father’s Day is different for the boys and I. Not different in a sad way though, just different.
Our first Father’s Day without Mike was 5 days after he died. Talk about hitting you like a ton of bricks.
The NBA finals were going between the Cavaliers and Warriors. The Warriors have always been Mike’s favorite team. Even when they stunk. When we met, his childhood bedroom at his mom and dad’s house even had Warriors wallpaper.
In the days following Mike’s death, word quickly spread that Mike was huge Warriors fan. Game seven of the finals was going to be played nearby in Oakland and we were invited to go to the game and given some pretty amazing tickets. I hesitated when I got the invitation, but I knew Mike would be so disappointed if I didn’t take the boys to that game. One of my amazing cousins had been in contact with the Warriors and even had jerseys, Curry autographs and a bunch of other awesome goodies sent to us. It ended up being a day we will never forget. It was the perfect distraction and the perfect way to celebrate what could have been a horrific day for the three of us.
Last year was our second Father’s Day without Mike. The boys and I snuck away for that that whole week. We were at Legoland for Father’s Day weekend and we went to the beach on Father’s Day. I knew that on this day, every year, we were going to have to keep up with this tradition of doing something fun.
This year will be Father’s Day #3 without Mike and this year will be different. We will celebrate Mike, the boys’ Dad in heaven. We will also get to celebrate David, the boys’ Dad on earth. This Father’s Day and each one to come from here on out my boys get to honor not one but two amazing men in their lives. I also get to add celebrating my new father-in-law and the boys’ Papa!
Simply unbelievable if you ask me!
I am excited to continue sharing my story of redemption with you all. I can’t wait to introduce this heaven-sent man that I keep mentioning, David, my husband on earth. He is the answer to my prayers.
