A Heartfelt Thank You to All the Amazing Dads Out There

home insemination Kit

I won’t sugarcoat it—some days, my partner, Jake, and I barely exchange a word. With two little ones, full-time jobs, and barely any support for household chores or childcare, life can be a whirlwind. It’s a wild ride filled with joy, and our two kiddos bring us a happiness we never anticipated. But the reality of parenting often means we have very little time to focus on ourselves or each other.

When my wailing newborn was handed to me eight years ago, I had serious doubts about whether my old life could ever return. Fast forward a few years, and I can confidently say that while parenting is exhausting and time-consuming, it hasn’t damaged our relationship. In fact, our bond feels stronger than ever.

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, of course. I have my gripes about Jake (like, can he please spend less time on his phone, take out the trash without prompting, and close the shower curtain so the toilet paper doesn’t end up soaked?). I’m sure he has his own list of complaints regarding me—mostly regarding my penchant for nagging!

BUT, when I reflect on how well we navigate parenthood together, I recognize that it’s largely because we’re a solid co-parenting team. Jake is fully engaged with our kids, matching my energy and attentiveness. He understands them, connects with them, and will go above and beyond for them, no matter the hour. By being such a phenomenal dad, he gives me a priceless gift, too.

Here’s a little secret: his incredible dad skills definitely make my heart flutter, and yes, our romantic life is thriving despite the chaos of parenthood.

I know plenty of fathers out there are nailing this parenting gig just like Jake. A strong parenting partnership is crucial for any marriage, but I also recognize that many dads struggle to be present and engaged with their families. I count myself lucky every day to have Jake by my side.

So, to my husband and all the incredible dads out there:

• Thank you for waking up with the kids on weekends so I can catch a few extra Zs. This morning, I woke up to find the living room transformed into a superhero battleground, with you playing alongside our son—Superman in one hand and a cold coffee in the other. My heart could hardly take it!
• Thank you for those long nights spent caring for our sick little ones, for handling the laundry explosion that follows, and for never once complaining. (Honestly, I’d probably complain a lot!)
• Thank you for all those evenings spent pacing with our fussy babies—there’s nothing like a “daddy walk” to soothe them down (sorry, but those newborn nights were a challenge!).
• Thank you for handling the kids’ endless birthday parties, swim lessons, and doctor visits. I appreciate you taking the wheel on those days when I’d rather not.
• Thank you for waking up at the crack of dawn to work, just so you can be home early to share those precious moments with our kids before bedtime.
• Thank you for never batting an eye when I throw a couple of tired kids your way after a long day.
• Thank you for remembering the little things—like how our toddler likes his pizza cut into squares and how our older son prefers to be tucked in.
• And thank you for taking those two cranky kids to the park so I could write this little love note.

Sometimes, dads get a bad rap. I know too many fathers abandon their families, or even when they’re present, they miss the mark on what it means to be an involved dad. But let’s take a moment to shine a light on the good dads—the ones who show up and truly understand the role of a father.

I know it’s tough when you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, but you’re building lifelong trust with your kids. You’re giving them a powerful example of what a man can be.

Most importantly, you’re allowing your partner to take a breather—helping her reconnect with herself beyond just being “Mommy.” You remind her why she fell in love with you in the first place.

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In conclusion, let’s celebrate the fathers who truly rock parenthood and make a difference in their families’ lives.