Papa

Growing up my papa was the most influential person in my life. He always had unconditional love, and I knew no matter what I did I was great in his eyes. I could go to him with any problem, and he would support me. As a grown man now, I can understand how valuable that was in shaping who I am today and helping me to be a better person in this world.

Not a day goes by that I do not think of him, I miss him a million times more than I ever thought I would. He made a permanent mark in my heart, and I live my life to try and be the man he was.

I see alot of the same qualities in Bella and Meritt's 'papa'. I wasn't sure at first when Bella coined the phrase 'papa' when she first started talking, but a few years later now I cannot think of a better person to be called 'papa' for my girls.

I cannot express just how thankful I am for Eric. Not just because of everything he does for us with the house and helping us turn our home into our dream home, which I am forever indebted to him for, but because of his big heart. He loves the girls more than anything, he will do anything for them without hesitation and without thinking of himself first.

Meritt got this stuffed dog for her birthday last week, and she LOVES it. So one night she was crying for it at bedtime, so we call Eric and Peggy, they were not sure where it is, but Mandy told Eric she thought it was left at the shop and that we will have to get it tomorrow. Well several minutes later he is calling from his cell phone standing on our back porch in the dark with the dog!! You should have seen her face when we brought the dog to her. It is things like that I can remember my papa doing for me as a kid, and I think it is understated how much kids remember the 'little things' like that. And those 'little things' make a big difference on the type of people we grow up to be. I know how much it made a difference in my life and I am certain they will be better people when they get older because of their papa.