Dear Father-In-Law,

In your early years of parenthood, I was probably a distant thought from your mind. You didn’t know me then, but your efforts then have brought such joy into my life now.

All of my husband’s experiences and lessons he learned with YOU, led him to ME.

Watching you, he learned responsibility and the value of a dollar. You proved that hard work earns sweet rewards. Leading by example, you helped him understand the importance of goal setting and saving for the future. You taught him how to work with his hands building things, and gave him the confidence to be creative and think outside the box. Encouraging him to be curious, to ask questions, and to seek out answers.

Thank you for creating family traditions and memories with him. I truly believe your talks alongside a campfire, and watching the sun come up on a bass boat taught him how to enjoy and respect nature. From you, he learned the sentimental value of inventing special piggyback rides and secret handshakes. Thank you for fostering his love for music, fishing, and soccer. Those three things are some of my kids’ best spent time with your son.

You encouraged him to listen more than he spoke. You taught him how to apologize and admit his mistakes. He learned the importance of honesty, integrity, and empathy by watching you. You showed him that a firm handshake and eye contact make a huge impression, and that good manners go a long way. Instilling in him the importance of respecting himself and others. By always giving more compliments than criticism, you built his self-confidence. By encouraging him to put others first, you helped him develop a generous spirit. Watching you, he learned how to put your wife and family above all else.

You taught him that calling on your way home to see if your wife needs anything brings a smile to the tired wife and mother on the other end of the line. You raised him to be a gentleman by opening car doors and bringing flowers to your wife, all the while, respecting and empowering the strong women in your life.

You are the type of man that is not afraid to show emotion. I remember your big crocodile tears of joy when we told you that you were going to be a grandpa for the first time. You’ve shown us all how a strong man can also have an extremely gentle heart. Showing us it is possible to be strong and sensitive all at once. Through you, he learned that showing affection can be manly.

Throughout his life, you have been his rock so that he could learn how to be mine. You raised the man I would one day marry. You took the time to bond and connect with him so that he could now do the same with his kids. You’ve set that bar high, and your son aims every day to achieve your great success of a husband and a father.

As I now raise three little gentlemen of my own, I understand the weight of the task you accomplished. You have raised a man to be my perfect match, and my very best friend. And for that, I will forever be grateful.

Happy Father’s Day!

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