6/15/25: Today, We Celebrate the Fathers!

Yes, this weeks post is a day early, but with good reason. I spend a lot of time talking about women – their time, their business, their dedication to family, but in celebration of Father’s Day, today I am going to talk about the men.

First, I want to say, just because I spend so much time talking to a female audience does not mean I do not see, recognize, and applaud the triumphs of men, as well as acknowledge their struggles.  By no means do I think their world is easy either.  In fact, the number of men who are leaving the workforce to be stay-at-home dads is on the rise, so they can face very similar challenges to the ones I talk about week in and week out – time management, systems, strategy, and boundaries. 

Personally, I want to celebrate a few men who find ways to make it all work. 

My loudest and proudest shout out goes to my husband, Jeremy.  Jeremy works 40+ hours per week and at job that is physically, and at times, emotionally taxing.  He gives his all to a position that gives little appreciation.  He is our major breadwinner.  And because of his commitment, I can be a mom to our daughters (most of the time), launch my own business, and have another hustle that requires me to be gone a lot, on weekends, when the kids need all the attention.  And he isn’t a lounge at home and do nothing dad. He takes them on adventures – frolfing, pickleball, hiking, rummage sales, whatever they are up for on that day. Not only does Jeremy make it possible for me to do what makes me happy, but he is an outstanding dad.  There is rarely a school program, musical performance, spelling bee, parent’s day, or activity that he misses.  He is engaged in the day to day of their life, even when he knows I have it handled.  My husband is one of the most exceptional human beings I will ever know, and even though he is more than a husband and dad, that is what he is greatest at in my book.

Now, I can’t shout out the dads without talking about my own.  If someone said, “tell me about your dad in one sentence,” here is what I would come up with > “My dad would give his life to make sure the people he loves are happy and healthy.”  My dad spent my childhood working his @$$ off to make sure that our family didn’t go without, and now he spends his retirement making sure that his kids never have to pass on anything they want to do, and his granddaughters are taken care of.  This is a man who has dropped plans on a moment’s notice to help our family, or my brother’s family, in a time of need.  He loves the people he loves deeply.  He has been a cheerleader for everything I’ve done – continuing education, book business, starting my coaching business, being a mom, being a wife, moving when he didn’t want us to, all the things.  I feel like I really get to say – my dad is better than your dad!

One last dad to shout out and he’s sort of the dad I picked; my father-in-law.  It should be no surprise when my husband is the amazing man he is, his dad is awesome, too!  First, I love how great of a grandpa he is.  He treats each of his grandkids like individuals and tries to be engaged in what they are doing.  Each summer, he takes our girls to the lake for a week to fish, and they look forward to that week.  Even though one of them doesn’t do much fishing, he still loves having her at the lake with him.  When he spends time at our house, he goes to programs and meets, and whatever else they have going on.  I love talking sports with him, whether it is cheering on the Twins while talking about how ridiculous they are sometimes or pointing out how the Vikings are going to blow it again this year.  We love when he visits, because we play Catan and pinnacle for hours.  Anytime any of his kids or grandkids need help, he’s there.  He really did teach Jeremy how to be an incredible husband, dad, and human.

Before I wrap it up, I want to reflect on something.  A couple weeks ago, Jeremy took Merritt (our youngest daughter) to the Father/Daughter Dance.  This is the third year they’ve gone, but the first year I’ve been able to attend the Grand March they do.  It was great seeing all the dads and their daughters walk across the stage…the things dads won’t do for daughters, but I was also in awe of the stand in dads.  There were stepdads, uncles, grandpas, adopted grandparents, and it really was amazing all these men who stepped in to be something to all these girls.  I know the day is called Father’s Day, but this day can really be about celebrating any man who has stepped up to have a positive influence in a child’s life. 

So not just today, but all day’s, I encourage you to celebrate the men who have had an impact on your life.  Happy Father’s Day!