Your 22nd Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Honey.  This is your 22nd one, hence the title of this blog.  Let that sink in for a moment.  You have been at this dad thing for a long time.  And I will tell you this, you have done alright.  Look at what we got, three relatively well adjusted kids that are probably going to be productive citizens of the world. 
Do you remember when you first found out that you were going to be a dad?  I wonder if you still have that letter or if you had to burn it, just in case.  I remember when I found out that you knew.  A reporter called me to relay your message that you knew you were going to be a daddy. 
I was terrified of the idea of being a parent, but you were so sure of us.  We would figure it out.  And we did.  We really did!  And look at us now being all successful and shit. 
Danny, I will never know what it was like for you to leave us.  To do what you could do to make the world a little bit better.  I will never know what it was like for you to miss out on the moments that you did.  But if you asked your kids, they would tell you that they really don't remember you being gone.  Because even so far away, you were always right here.  I think that is such a testament to the kind of dad you were and are. 
I remember being terrified by the idea of having a baby, but you just knew that it would be alright.  You knew that we would figure it out, make a few (million) mistakes, adapt and overcome.  You were right.  We muddled through just fine and in the process showed our kids a pretty great time. 
I don't know how many Father's Days you missed.  I stopped keeping track a long time ago.  I don't know how many of anything you missed for that matter.  Because it has never been about what you missed.  It has always been about what you were present for.  And you have been present for them every single day.  Except for those days when you are growly and no one wants you to be present.
Danny, it has been a true pleasure to be with you all these Father's Days and every day in between.
From the afternoon you spent dancing with Ashlyn to Van Halen in our little one bedroom in Oceanside to rocking out at the Van Halen concert with Jacob, you have been amazing!