Happy Fathers Day!

I've never known where the apostrophe is supposed to go with salutations like "Happy Mothers Day" or "Happy Fathers Day."  I bet my husband would know, that's one of the reasons I love my English-correcting German--here are the rest.

Andy is a special kind of father.  Where most of us are either called to career or home-life, Andy is beyond excellent at both.  He's one of the only men I know that can manage three boys under 5 while going to school full time and possessing unlimited understanding with all of the flexibility my career requires.  I need to be in Nevada for 5 days and then New Orleans for 4 and then I'm sorry but I have three events this week so I'll try and be home by bedtime to help if I can.  Does he ever complain?  Does he ever whine about all the responsibility that lands on his plate?  Nope!  He's a Dean's List honored, butt wiping boss.

Andy knows how to properly utilize caffeine.  He gets up and makes coffee and manages the day.  He doesn't require naps.  He then either makes more coffee or an energy mix from the gym and buckles up for school when I get home so he can finish whatever the boys didn't allow him to during the day.  Again, no complaining, just doing what's got to be done.  How does he do this?  Caffeine.

Andy is EVERYONE'S favorite.  Between being the "golden boy" of his family, the only reason my siblings visit, or the undisputed preferred parent- the party just isn't a party until Andy graces us all with his presence- and trust me, I'm jealous.  I TRY to entertain, I TRY to be funny, but people light up when Andy shows up, and he knows it. You won't find low self awareness on any list of Andy's attributes, but I love that too. 

Andy is an incredible cook.  The boys and I would survive on a menu of grilled cheese and Golden Grahams if it weren't for him.  My idea of 'trying extra hard' on a meal is Homestyle Mac & Cheese ... you know, the mac with the bread crumbs on top?  One time when my inlaws were on their way, I ordered 6 individual servings of pasta from Dominos and put it in a 9x13 pan in my cold oven so it would appear that I cooked something delicious-other than frozen lasagna.  Sorry Stauffer's, but they can tell.  Judge away, but if you ate something my mother in-law cooked or even Andy, you would be intimidated into such ridiculous antics too.  My mother in-law's dinners melt in your mouth, and Andy's are equally impressive.  It's gotten to where when he asks me for help in the kitchen I instantly get a little sweaty and shaky.  I'd rather present a new idea to a 40 year veteran purchasing agent then over-toast an English Muffin in La Kitchen De Andrew.  "Em, how long has that baby ravioli been cooking?" 
I panic. 
"Yes Chef! 
I mean.. no Chef! 
Somewhere between 2 and 11 minutes, Chef!"
He made eggs benedict last week completely out of scratch right down to the Hollandaise, and after he finished and we devoured it, he let me know that not only had he never even tried eggs benedict before, but he was also adding it to his monthly menu and calling it "Eggs Benny" from now on.  My best friends had a housewarming party last weekend and A called me to ask Andy could make a couple dips for it.  When I go to the grocery store he sends me pictures of the exact ingredients he's looking for so I don't accidently buy bagged sauerkraut again or pre-cooked brats.  He's nice about it, but I only go shopping with an entire text thread of pictures now.  I hit strike three in 2009 and never looked back.   Goodview Court is a yummy place to live, thanks to the man.

Andy's a big picture guy.  This is a quality I never would've thought of praying for in a husband, but God knew and I'm so very, very thankful.  We started dating at a young age, and we were 6 hours apart.  In all honesty, I figured at best we'd write a letter or two and fizzle out, but Andy knew what he wanted and could look farther down the road than most 16 year olds.  I remember writing a letter to him in December that year and saying that I couldn't believe we were staying in touch, his reply letter started with the line, "Really?  I knew that as long as you wanted to we'd be talking."  He also claims he told his cousin in 7th grade while meeting me at camp for a couple days that he would one day marry me.  I'm not sure that's big picture as much as creepily prophetic.  Either way it's adorable and I'm down.  Since then, we've faced trials including but not limited to- financial stresses where we skipped meals to feed our little Charlie and donated plasma to pay the electric bill, my unemployment, the dangerously early birth of all three of our children, the death of his grandfather, and my moving our whole family on the hopes that I could run a company with no construction experience.  Not once has he wavered, not once has he doubted.  When I feel like the entire world is crashing down he gently reminds me that God hasn't scheduled the destruction of the planet until after the 7 year tribulation, and we won't be here for that.  He will be that direct and matter-of-fact too, on account of the simple fact that Andy's German.

Andy's German.  This isn't my favorite thing about him, but it does come in handy, sometimes.  Other times, it's difficult--like when I want to win an argument or pick the radio station.  But, I knew this about him when I met him, and I like that he's strong.  So that's all I'm going to say about his being German...except that I'm really tired of pickled sausages and sauerkraut.  They stink and look completely disgusting.  There, I'm done.

This will surprise no one that knows him, but Andy's funny...hilarious, actually.  He can make anyone laugh anytime, and I'm his biggest fan.  He once told me (this may fall under the he's German category) that his favorite part about me is that I think he's funny.  It's true though!  He can have me belly-laughing after my hardest day over his impression of one of the boys, or his 'Yak' call.  He's been making me laugh with the yak call since 2005.  Ask him to do it sometime, you won't regret it.  He listens well, and he's very intuitive and observant and he'll make you laugh at yourself before you even realized you do the habit he's observed you doing.  One time I had to leave church because he told me that I involuntarily keep my head on a constant swivel as the worship starts because I like to see who's at church that day.  His impression was so funny that I walked out and completely skipped communion. 

Overall, I love my husband.  We're a team, we've only ever needed the Lord and each other to be okay or have a good time.  In years past, men were known solely as providers and protectors, and Andy is that but so much more.  He provides our family with the leadership and strength we need, and as cheesy as this sounds- I'm never afraid of what comes because I've got the God of the universe on my side, and He's given me someone on earth that takes the scariest things in life and makes them look like nothing compared to what we can handle. 

So- Happy Fathers day to all the fathers out there, but I win.  I have God, I have my wonderful earthly father, and I have a German I call my best friend.  Boom.