I won’t say that my Father’s Day was better than yours. I won’t say that my spouse loves me more than yours loves you. I won’t say that my child loves me more than yours loves you.

I will say, however, that I’d be hard pressed to recall a time that I felt happier and more loved than I did yesterday.

First, I need to run down the day before. We went to Sarah’s parents’ house for a family gathering/mini-reunion/party. We arrived around one in the afternoon, so by two I was drinking (cheap) tequila. As a result of this (and of not being in my early twenties anymore), I began developing a hangover before I went to bed. I think the only mishap that day was when Sarah’s dad was attacked by gravity and a concrete driveway. It wasn’t his fault though, because the canopy tripped him.

We slept in a tent that night, in Sarah’s parents’ back yard. When I awoke Sunday morning, the only hangover symptoms I had remaining – aside from still being very tired – were a strong need for coffee and food. This, coupled with the fact that Uncle Curt makes amazing breakfasts, started my Father’s day on the right foot; it was one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had.

We hung out for a bit, packed up the tent, then drove home. Sarah, Tyler, and Delilah were all sleeping within five minutes of being on the road. We got home and I carried Tyler to his room to continue his nap. After helping Sarah uload the truck, she sent me upstairs for a nap.

After my glorious nap, I felt awake and refreshed. Tyler hand-picked a Spiderman-themed Father’s day card for me, telling Sarah, “Piderman for daddy,” when they were shopping for one. Then, they both surprised me with tickets to see Toy Story 3, in 3D!!

“Thank you, Mommy. Thank you Tyler. I am so happy.”

Tyler wrapped his arms around my neck, kissed me , and said, “Happy fahdders day, daddy.”

“Thank you Tyler,” I replied.

“I so pwoud of you daddy.”

There are no words to explain how I felt at that moment. None.

On the drive to the theatre, we told Tyler about the special “movie glasses” we would have to wear for Toy Story 3. He clutched the Woody toy that his Aunt Acey bought him and said, “yeahhh, moovie gwasses.”

When the lights dimmed, and the movie started, Tyler signalled his approval with “Wowwwwwwwwww.”

Twenty minutes in, Tyler loudly asked, “Daddy, what is that, daddy?”

Later, halfway through the movie, I whispered to Tyler, “Are you having fun?”

He looked at me with his special movie glasses and said, “Yeah!”

At the end of the movie – and I’m not embarrassed to say this – Sarah and I both cried. Not for any other reason than the realization that Tyler is going to grow up and move out one day.

Saying this was my best Father’s Day ever doesn’t mean much, because this is only my second Father’s Day. But, it was honestly one of the single greatest days of my life.

Also, since it’s now on Facebook, I think it’s okay to announce it here as well… On or around January 9th, 2011, I will be an uncle again. My sister (in-law, just for clarification, because I view all of Sarah’s sisters as my own) and her husband have a little plum-sized bean growing. They announced it at the party on Saturday and I couldn’t be happier for them as they travel down such a rewarding and trying path.

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