“Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

I would say the phrase my dad tells me more than anything else is “I love you”. For as long as I can remember, he has told me that every single time we have talked. The second most spoken phrase I hear from my Father is probably “I’m proud of you”. I can think of many times which he has uttered those words to me. From large accomplishments such as graduating college or pursuing a career in ministry to small occurrences such as simply getting a solo in choir or making good grades.

I’ve learned a lot about life from my dad. We’re eerily similar in many ways while also having many differences and I know that who I am today was shaped by him in many ways. My dad is far from perfect. He has made mistakes in life as all humans do and there are some of those mistakes I needed to make myself but also several that I could learn from watching him. Regardless of the mistakes I’ve made, I always knew I could count on having his love and his acceptance.

My dad has consistently been there for all the major happenings in my life, supporting me in the good and the bad. One night, a couple weeks into my separation, I was having what we will call an “especially rough night”. Without any request on my part or hesitation on his part, my dad woke up in the middle of that night, looked at my stepmom and said “Trey needs me in Texas. I just know it.” Then he got into his truck at 3am and drove to Plano. He didn’t even know I was having an “especially rough night” at the time, but just knew deep down that I needed him, so he was there.

And there is no better way I can think of to describe my dad than with that story. He is present. I know that if there is ever a moment that I need someone, I can always count on him to be there. If I need to talk, he will listen; if I need to cry, he has a shoulder; if I need to be held up, he is supporting me; if I need a pat on the back and a “job well done, he is the first one to do it and say it.

Happy Father’s Day to a man whom I respect, love, and admire. I love you Dad and I’m proud to be your son.