In my Mother’s Day column a few weeks ago, I shared a bit about my childhood. Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a momma and a wife. I dreamed about the family I would one day build. But what I didn’t realize back then was how much my definition of a “good family” was shaped by the man who raised me.
My dad has always been a teacher and a protector. He is the one who patiently taught me how to ride a bicycle, attempted to teach me to water ski, drive a car, and even how to ride a motorcycle. He also taught my brother and me a strong work ethic, standing up for yourself, the value of a dollar, and the importance of avoiding credit card debt.
He is the guy who always made sure my car windows were scraped and cleaned off whenever it snowed.
Even now, though I am 40 years old, he still never lets me leave or ends a phone call without telling me to “drive safe” and “I love you.” He still puts forth the effort every single week to call, check on us, and make sure we are taken care of.
When you grow up with a dad like that, the bar is set incredibly high. You learn what unconditional love and effort look like. Deep down, that little girl dreaming of her future family hoped she would find a partner who could live up to that standard. And then came my husband.
My husband is, truly, the best dad. He makes me smile every single day with the little things he does for our family. He is a deeply patient, sweet, and gentle man.
Watching him build his own close relationships with our children is the greatest joy of my life.
Kenzy is so incredibly in love with her daddy, and watching Ty grow up, I can see him becoming more like his dad every day.
Chris and Ty have a beautiful father-son relationship, and as Ty gets older, they grow closer. He has told us a few times that he wants his dad to be his best man someday. I told him how sweet that was, but he may want his best friend to be his best man when that day comes. Tyler’s response was “Dad is my best friend.” Talk about a tear-jerker.
Kenzy wants to marry her daddy. What little girl with an amazing father at that age doesn’t? But let me tell you, Chris has set an extremely high bar for her. Trying to find someone like her daddy? Whew, he sets a very high bar.
Just like my dad did for me, my husband makes it a priority just to be there. He always finds time for our kids, ensuring he is fully present for them.
Father’s Day, I am feeling grateful. I am grateful to the dad who taught me how to navigate the world and showed me what a good father looks like. And I am grateful to the husband who stepped into that role for our own children, bringing that same patience, sweetness, and devotion into our home every single day. His muscles are just a bonus.
Lucky, lucky me! *enter my cheesy smile here*
Happy Father’s Day to the two men who showed me what true fatherhood means.
Turkey Meatball Casserole
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. ground turkey (or beef)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 2 cups of marinara sauce
• 1 cup of cheese of your choice (mozzarella, Monterey Jack, cheddar, provolone…)
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400º. Lightly spray a casserole dish with cooking spray.
Combine ground meat, mozzarella, parmesan, egg, onion powder, garlic, & Italian seasoning in a large salad bowl — except for the Marinara sauce, 1 cup of cheese, and fresh basil, which are set aside for the casserole. Use a small cookie scoop to form the meatballs into uniform sizes, then arrange them in the casserole dish.
Bake your meatball casserole for 15 to 20 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove the meatball casserole from the oven and drain the grease.
Top with Marinara sauce and shredded cheese, and put the meatball casserole back in the oven. Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the cheese has fully melted. Enjoy!
