When I Dreamed

When I was a little girl, I used to do what ever other little girl my age had done for years before me.

I dreamed my prince would come.

I had to kiss a lot of frogs to get him, though. I can remember as each frog hopped my way, I just KNEW I would kiss him and he would be my prince! Didn't quite work out that way. Usually, they quickly turned into the court jester.

So, when My Man came along and I didn't fall head over heels for him, I just knew he wasn't my prince. I sat across from the table from him...I watched this shy boy eat his Lucky Charms with his head bowed and his right hand holding his spoon all weird like...surrounded by all of our friends laughing and joking and having a good time. This was NOT the boy for me! Couldn't be. Look at me. Look at him. It would never work. But I quickly realized that something was different. The pattern was different.

My Prince was standing right in front of me. No hopping required!

1 Year in...I was just astounded we made it this far. We were never one of those couples who pretended like everything was perfect. It took learning and bending and bowing to make it that year.

2 years in...we bought our first house...lost 2 babies...lived and exercised our lives.

3 years in...4 years in...lost more babies. Lived more life. More not perfect.

5 years in, we had My Girl. And My Prince...became My Man.

And Hers.

8 Years in, we had My Boy. And My Man...became My Everything.

And His.

And as I have watched him grow and change and learn and fit into the Daddy that he has become, I realized that he nothing like who I dreamed of as a little girl.

He is more.
Yes, he is mine.
But most importantly he is theirs.
He is teaching My Boy what it means to be a man, husband and father.
He is teaching My Girl that she can never set her standards too high when waiting for her very own Prince to come.

So in honor of this day set aside to honor him, the kids planned big for weeks!



First of all we got up early and they made Daddy ham and cheese eggs, sausage, toast and oatmeal. They set it all up with a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee. But in honor of the fact that we were up so late last night, they even made him a thermos to take with him. Smart kids!

So out he came! The kids sang him a song that My Girl wrote for him (of course). Then he began to check out his goodies. Both of the kids made him some cards at school as well as a bunch of homemade stuff they made here. But my favorite is the homemade booklet that they made him.

The front cover says: "#1 Super Dad"

Page 1: "Dear Dad, You light up my life not matter the pain and strife. I'm very happy and glad I'm allowed to call you my dad! Love Belle"

Page 2: "God loves you, but He's not the only one!"

Page 3: "I love you Dad. I think you're rad just like my shirt says. You taught me how to hunt, fish and get girls just like my hat says. I big heart you! Love Luke"

(Insert mother thought here. HE'S TEACHING HIM HOW TO GET GIRLS?!?!? Actually My Man just smiled and said, 'It just comes naturally to an Overstreet.')

Page 4: "Your love never fails."

Page 5: "Dad, These kids are so blessed to have you as their example of what it is to be a husband and father. Hopefully Luke will mimic you and Belle will find a mate like you. But I'm tickled to say you're mine! Love Me"

So Happy Father's Day to Our Prince, Our Man, Our Example, Our Daddy! We love you.