Hey, all you wonderful dads out there! Happy Father’s Day! As we celebrate you this week, just know how much you also hold a family together and how much your child looks up to you. Kids need to have a role model and watch their father as he teaches them all throughout their lives. Shoot, I am 35 years old, and I still go to my dad for advice. He still teaches me new things, and darn it; he is still always right! My dad always took good care of me. (Still does!) And I knew someday I would marry someone who would treat me like my dad does, and someone our children, would grow up to love and watch, just like I looked up to my dad growing up.

There he was, 22 years ago, sitting right next to me in my 9th-grade math class. Dark brown hair, beautiful deep brown eyes, eyelashes that don’t quit, and silver braces that made any high school girl weak in the knees. When he shared his Ritz cheese crackers with me, I knew he was the one. It took a few months, but when we started dating, it didn’t take long for me to fall head over heels in love with him. The older he got, the finer he got. I tell him he is like fine wine, gets better and better with age! Seriously, have you seen my husband? Whew. Is it getting hot in here? Y’all, I hit the jackpot. And I am not just talking about his looks. I am talking about the way he looks at me. The way he looks and interacts with our kids. The way he treats me. The way he puts his family first, always. I could not ask for a better father for my kids. Chris is one of the most genuine, sweetest, kind-hearted men you will find. Like that country song by Gabby Barrett, “The Good Ones.” That’s my husband. I am so beyond blessed to have a marriage the way we do. I say this as honestly and openly as I can; we hardly ever fight, and if we do, it’s about something so dumb, and it’s over in five minutes because we can’t stand being mad at each other. Plus, I don’t think I could resist his arms or chest in that time anyway. When I can’t be touchy, that would make me want to all the more. He is my rock, my best friend. I seriously don’t know what I would do without him.

His love for me makes me melt. He tells me I am beautiful all the time. He thanks me for everything I do for him. He texts me every day at work to see how I am. He tells me he loves me all the time. But most of all, he loves his children.

My son has the perfect role model to be a wonderful husband someday and will treat her with the utmost respect. My daughter will someday marry a man who will treat her the way her daddy treats her momma because she will know how a man should treat a woman.

I love the way he has tickle time with the kids before bed. I love the way Kenzy melts just as much as her momma does over her daddy. She is such a daddy’s girl. I love the way my son has learned a lot of hands-on things from his dad, and when my husband isn’t home, he is like having a mini-Chris around!

Ya know what I also love? When he disciplines. Like a dad should. The way he tells them, “I am telling you right now, you better straighten up and get your act together, or you won’t like what’s coming!”

Whew. Here we go again. (Hang on, I gotta go grab my fan) Mmmmm. Mm. When he gets in dad mode, oh baby, it’s hot. He knows I like it when he gets all serious. Haha. He is a pretty chill guy and doesn’t get mad very often. But he knows when to step in and that dad mode kicks in. I guess until you have kids, it’s a side to a man you don’t get to see? Not that I enjoy seeing my kids in trouble, I guess it’s just seeing my hubby taking action so our children grow up to be the best adults they can be.

I discipline too, of course, but there’s something about saying, “Just wait until your dad gets home,” that gives me flutters inside my belly. Like, I know dad mode will be coming, and I don’t get to see him in that mode often. When he is mad and puts his arms up pointing that finger while lecturing, his muscles get bigger, so I just sit back, listen, watch, and enjoy! (Can I enter a laughing emoji face here?)

This is why my husband loves me. I am crazy, or should I say silly? I just love having fun. I write with my personality. So many close friends and family say they hear me saying what I write and just crack up. Let’s just say I am witty. This is what makes our relationship work so well. We laugh together so much. I love watching him be an incredible dad to our two beautiful children. I absolutely love our relationship together and the life we have created.

I thank God all the time for such a solid marriage after 15 years, even after being together for a total of 23 years next year. It seems each year; it just gets better and better. Yes, we have the same hobbies. We have a family who loves us both. But we have God in our marriage; that is the most important. Plus, when you have a man where his wonderful momma and amazing father raised him right, you have a winner. I am so thankful my kids have such an amazing father. I couldn’t ask for anything more. Happy Father’s Day!

Caramel Apple Pretzel Salad

Sugared Pretzels:

Ingredients:
• 1 cup pretzels roughly chopped (measure after chopping)
• 1/2 cup pecans chopped (measure after chopping)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 3/4 cup butter melted

Cream Cheese Mixture:
• 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 3 cups diced apples about 3 large apples (I used Granny Smith for the green, and Honey Crisp for the red)
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce (I used Marzetti Old Fashioned Caramel Dip)
• 3 cups Cool Whip

Sugared Pretzels:

Directions:

Mix together crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter.

Spread in a large baking sheet with sides and bake at 400 degrees for 7 minutes.

Allow the mixture to cool and then break it into small pieces.

Cream Cheese Mixture:

Directions:

Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.

Beat in the caramel sauce until smooth.

Fold in whipped topping.

Stir in the diced apples and sugared pretzels. (Save some sugared pretzels for garnish)

Chill in refrigerator a few hours and garnish with pretzel topping, a few apple slices, and I drizzled some caramel sauce too. I mean, why not?