1. I like the way he says “buh-dup a dup bup bup” when he’s backing up the car.
2. I like the way he falls asleep watching movies.
3. I like the fact that I’ve never heard him swear.
4. I like that he ran his first marathon at age 50.
5. I like the way he treats my wife like his own daughter.
6. I like how he can make conversation with anyone.
7. I like it that he’s always reading new books.
8. I like how he watched me make a lot of mistakes in high school and college.
9. I love him for still giving me a kiss on the cheek.
10. I like it that we have the same shoe size so I can steal his slippers.
11. I like it that he drives an old car but put four kids through college.
12. I like it that he likes the Beach Boys.
13. I forgive him for tricking me into grabbing the electric fence when I was little.
14. I love the fact that he has supported me 100% from the very start in my call to missions.
15. I like how he has always written me letters.
16. I’m glad he’s a cheapskate (but will spend thousands of dollars to visit me in Africa).
17. I’m amazed that he understands how to fix cars.
18. I like how he and his wife complement each other.
19. I like being able to tell my sons, “Be like Pappa when you grow up.”
20. I like his weakness for jelly beans.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. I love you and admire you.

Photos from January 2000