#itwasdad

It was dad...

It was Dad who taught me how to be optimistic. I remember one day getting sent to my room for having a negative attitude. My dad came in and sat next to me on my bed, he asked me to lay down, close my eyes and try waking up again. I humored him and when I "woke up again" he said "Good morning Kayla! Lets go make it a good day!" I was so confused..he knows its noon, right?! He was teaching me that I had control over my happiness and that I could make that choice to be happy at any time. A lesson that has benefited me every day since.

It was dad who taught me the importance of serving the Lord in our callings. He was almost always my bishop and when he wasn't my bishop, he was in my stake presidency. He was always at the church and he never complained or neglected his family rolls. He only displayed love and devotion for the ward members and others that he served. It made me want a calling so badly, that love has never faded.

He rescued me from gasless cars. I was an irresponsible driver more than once who cheaply failed to fill up my tank in hope i could ride on fumes all the way from Mesa to Queen Creek. It was dad who always put a $20 in my tank and picked me up if I ran out of gas.

It was dad that talked about hiking

It was dad that made all my friends jealous that their dad wasn't a cool as mine

It was dad who rooted a deep love for temples in my heart. He regularly took my mom to the temple and testified of its sacredness, but he was also one of the first faces I saw as I passed through the veil into the celestial room for the first time. With tear filled eyes, we hugged and I understood just how important temple work was for me and my family (as well as everyone else). And more recently, with the Gilbert temple open house and dedication, I'll never forget those special phone calls with my dad as he gushed like a little boy about the "awesomeness" of the temple. He'd call frequently with new stories and amazing experiences as he met new investigators and experienced miracles within the temple walls. His stories and passion for the temple continue to inspire me.

It was dad who hook a daughter up on the daily! He always got us the coolest tickets, Nsync concert, bat girl tickets, box tickets to any event, blimp rides, and of course annual Renaissance Festival tickets for me and all my friends! We always had so many fun opportunities! Not to mention the daddy daughter trips! I got to go to Disneyland once with my dad on a business trip and to Colorado to go snowmobiling for another. He always made us feel so special, taking us one at a time for some daddy daughter bonding!

It was dad who loved my mom perfectly. When I was growing up, it martial discourse wasn't as prevalent in society and I was less aware of its deadly impact on the family. While I beleive the times had a little bit of a impact on my ignorance, my parents also gave me nothing to question. My mom always loved my dad and my dad always loved my mom. He kissed her, he held her, he served her and spent time with her. He loved her openly in a way that allowed my sisters and I to see that my mom felt safe, loved and protected and we should too.

It was dad who gave me a perfect blueprint for a husband, He taught me that a husband is one who support their wife in all things. A good husband provides and presides over his family. A good husband decides things together with his wife and the Lord as one united front. He taught me that my husband should love me for me, just as he did. He taught me that I deserved respect and loyalty and someone who would push me to be better. He taught me that a worthy preisthood holder is who I wanted and who I needed in a spouse. He showed me that I wanted a hard worker, a server, a fun loving, personable man. He taught me so much more than that...

It was dad who teased me just the right amount. I'm a delicate little flower (aka I'm over-sensitive) He didn't make me feel like a baby or a whimp, he was tender and loving. He understands my personality and respects my sensitivity, Not easy for most men. (It might be because I get it from him)

It's dad who loves everyone he meets. I haven't met anyone that my dad hasn't tried to make feel like they're best friends. He wants everyone to feel Christs love through him. He includes everyone and forgets no one. He has taken me to ward members house with him just to talk, elderly widows, young convert families or even just the neighbor down  the street. He wants everyone to know that they are important to him. Such a rare and special quality.

I love my dad. I miss him and my mom so dearly. I cried as we skyped tonight, just to be around him is an honor, yet alone to be his daughter. I'm so grateful we are sealed..he's mine, he's my dad and I get to continue to learn from and with my dad for eternity.

Thank you for all you do dad, I love you!