Our Love Story Jams On {How I Met Your Father}

Your dad and I couldn’t have been more different when we first met. He didn’t make plans, and I lived and breathed by a planner. He was positive and very outgoing, and I saw myself as a bit of an introvert and glass half-empty kinda gal. When we first met, it was brief – I think I gave him a ride to the liquor store. Anyways, even though the moment was short-lived, we both must have been drawn to each other. It wasn’t until a couple months later that our paths crossed. Our mutual friend, Katie dragged me out to a party. Your dad was there and we spent the entire night talking and getting to know each other. He made me laugh and his positive energy was overwhelmingly infectious. Everything about him intrigued me.

Rather than bore you with all the other details, I want to tell you how your father changed my life. How he moved me, and helped make me a better version of myself. I want to tell you why I honestly believe that our love story is one for the ages, and what makes him such an amazing daddy to you both. So here it goes . . .

Put Yourself First

To this day, those words resonate with me. My freshman year of college, I considered dropping out and going back home to help with my family. He said, “why don’t you take care of yourself this time?” I stayed and it was one of the best decision I ever made. Somehow, after all these years, he’s still saying these words to me.

“You’re the Jam!”

Your dad and I had our first Christmas celebration at this fancy place called Applebee’s. He gave me my first Build-a-Bear and the recording inside said, “Thanks for a great first semester. You’re the jam.” I was his “jam!” It’s so ridiculous now that I look back, but I became part of his life. I became part of his good energy, his happy moments, and I myself, inspired him.

Get Outside Yourself!

I’m not sure if any of our friends would categorize me as shy now, but back then I was SO SHY. Costume parties were all the rage, and so not my thing. At one of the ski and snowboard club meetings, it was some sort of dress up theme (your dad was on the board of directors, and this was my chance to make a lasting impression). I dressed up as Avril Lavigne and sang, “He was a skaterboy! She said see ya later boy,” to win something real important – like a free burrito, maybe. Two things I didn’t do before I met you daddy – sing solo for people, or go too far outside of my comfort zone. He was changing me slowly, but I also won him over a little more that night – better than the burrito.  Nowadays, I love me a good theme dress-up occasion, and you might find me paying the Karaoke bar a little extra to sneak to the top of the waitlist.

Slow DOWN!

“What are you doing this weekend?” “What are you doing the rest of your life?” “Where do you see this relationship going?” Those are the words of an over planner. Your dad – not. so. much. Any sort of plan, and I still wonder if he cringes from the inside out. If I wanted to hang out with him, I was going have to slow down and live in the moment. Our first year together was a ride! We skied, we partied, we slept on the ground at a friend’s house in the mountains last minute, and we “casually” dated for quite a while. The funny thing is, when I started enjoying the moment, I really began living.

Your Word Means Something

Again, planner that I was. I wanted a commitment. I wanted to know where our relationship was going, but your daddy wasn’t looking for something serious. So I nervously enjoyed our time, and I still remember when he made it official. I knew he meant it. I also knew he meant it when we moved into together, when he asked me to marry him, and when we decided to have you both. His word meant something – still does. He never gets pushed into something until he’s 100% ready. Although at times it’s driven me MAD, I know he’s all in. That means a great deal more to me than him halfheartedly, going along with something he’s not sold on. There’s no takesies-backsies.

Your dad is my everything. He helped me find my real potential – he still does. I see the ways he’s changed my life, and I see him doing the same with you. He’ll provide you a safe place to become yourself and will be there to cheer you on. To dress up, be silly and own that crazy outfit you choose. To slow down, wrestle and tickle you even though he has a ton of work to do. That your word means something – and he gives you examples of that every time he shows up for you . . . for us. This wild, adventurous, live-in-the-moment, glass half-full guy still lives! He’s just exchanged his baggy pants and skate shoes, for a suit and weekend loafers.

I know you’ll find someone just as fabulous as your dad when you get older, because you have your dad. He’s the JAM.