To Dad,

50. Five Zero.

Half a century.

You’ve got another half to go, I hope.

5 kids in 28 years, you’ve touched their lives and they’ll never be the same.

We want to thank you, show our gratitude.

You taught us that it’s okay to laugh at our selves and to not cry over spilt milk.

Your last three are leaving next year.

There will be lots of tears, but we know that where ever you and mom are, we will always have a home to come back to.

You taught us how to manage money, even if some of us don’t do it well.

You raised us in a Christian home, built on the principles and teachings of the Bible, so even if we stray, you wont be at fault because you did everything you could.

You taught us how to ride a bike, and taught your sons to be men.

You kiss me on the cheek and I go back to being three, when my world was made up of laughter.

You’re not perfect but all your imperfections make you my perfect father.

You’re more successful than the richest man in the world; you’ve got a family of seven who know their beauty and worth.

You’ve got memories to fill a museum and many more to be made.

You’ve mastered the art of always providing for our family and others, you always give, even when giving becomes too much.

We love you dearly and breathe a sigh of relief as we remember you are the head of the house.

One day your two daughters who aren’t married will find their prince charmings and if they are half the men that you are, well we will be blessed beyond measure.

You are stern when it’s necessary and caring always.

You were the great leader of many explorations and adventures.

You were the captain of multiple excursions and always the arms I’d run into when the monsters from my dreams were too big for me to fight on my own.

Son. Business Man. Husband. Brother. Friend.

You are all of these things, but it’s been your children’s honor, privilege and greatest joy to call you father.