Fatherhood. Yours. - Shannon Von Eschen Photography

“With freedom, flowers, books, and the moon, who could not be perfectly happy?” –Oscar Wilde

Agreed. Except I’d like to also add: Good Men. Good Fathers.

How beautiful though, really, would the world look filled to the brim with good men? How much happier could our world be with more GOOD fathers? I feel so lucky to have been raised by one. But also: to have chosen wisely and married one. And yet, you’re not just “good.” Sometimes I think that applies to quite a few people, who, as Eli so plainly put it today, are “classic.” That word alone is of comfort to me as much of what I cherish in this life boils down to being classic. There is nothing wrong with it… Much like cars and appliances these days, I want little more than a true classic.

But Eli, our only child, says you’re more than that. You’re beyond. You’re the BEST. Eli is filled to the brim of my sappiness and love for you, but he’s got your dry humor and smarts alike. In your card today, he wrote that being a “Classic Dad,” as the card suggested, wasn’t good enough for you. He said you were abnormally unique and amazing in all the best ways. He listed out the roles of a “Classic Dad” and then compared them to all your roles in our life. Your list (for who he says you are) so wonderfully showed what separates you from most: Your integrity. Your work/life balance. And the way you shoulder responsibility. How many others can say these things about their Father? Or the Father of their children? And how did E and I become the luckiest?

This last year was full of so many of our “normal” days. So many of those “classic” fatherhood moments, I suppose. And though we’ve lived a similar life each year by design and choice, these photos show your love for Eli being so much more than the standard.

The biggest takeaway: You are present.

Eli’s face has matured and his stature has increased wildly this year. Like a weed has taken on new meaning in our family.

And though he’s learned to run more Tree Nursery machinery, continually writes music, is actively crushing his Driver’s Ed course, and stands almost exactly your height now, he’s not yet too old for endless games, wrestling in the living room, bedtime stories, and piggy-back rides. And yet I wonder if it will be him carrying you next year…