Charlie's (and Joseph's and Will's and Helen's) Dad

Happy Father's Day to the best dad in the whole world!

It's no secret that both the kids and I think that Cort is an amazing father. This Father's Day, I wanted the world (well, more like our limited blog readership) know that others recognize this too.

This is an email that Charlie's teacher, Ms. Nelson, wrote to Cort after he chaperoned a class field trip:


From: "Nelson, Melanie J"
Date: April 2, 2010 4:27:29 PM CDT
To: "'cmaddux@**********
Subject: "Charlie's dad"

Hi!

I just want to write and personally tell you what an honor it was to be in your presence on our field trip Wednesday. I talked with Amy after school that day and shared a few thoughts about our day, and my gratitude, and have since realized that I must personally tell you my same "thinkings".

I sat with Charlie and Kody for some of the way back to school. Charlie was crying because he was missing you. At first I tried to talk with him about his tears, and after a few exchanges of words and thoughts, I decided that I couldn't help him feel better. He missed you and needed to cry, so I let him.

I know why Charlie was crying. I know why he missed you. You are an amazing dad. You share respect, and thoughtfulness, and energy, and fun, and honor age-appropriate expectations of children by holding them accountable for what they are capable of doing. You are an organizer, a caregiver, and every teacher's dream of "a dad" for a field trip!

When I looked at Charlie in his "window seat" on the bus on Wednesday afternoon I thought about the dad that he will be when he grows up. He will be so much of you, and for that I am thankful.

Melanie

We are thankful too. Happy Father's Day!