On my first date with Mr H, we sat drinking elaborate virgin cocktails, in the lounge of the swanky Fitzwilliam Bar on Stephens Green, Dublin. The cocktails had more fruit in them than a Carmen Miranda hat!
As we shyly shared details of our lives, I began to think that this guy could be special.
But then we had a little speed wobble. As in the wheels nearly came off the bus. As I airily declared that I wanted a man with no baggage, his face paled a little.
Feck (translation: oh, no!).
He quickly reassured me that his particular baggage didn’t include a wife, ex or otherwise, (good times), but he did have a three-year old daughter, from a previous relationship (bad times).
Feck. Feck.
This was a direct breech of my no baggage criteria.
But, I liked this man and he had bought me a ridiculously over priced virgin cocktail.
So, I quickly asked him about friends. My own father always told me that a good way to get the measure of a man, is to find out if he has friends or not. While not a direct science, I’ve found that it’s bode me well. The loners turned out not to be so great boyfriends.
‘I’ve been best friends with F since we were kids.’ Mr H told me. ‘See him every week.’
We were back on track. And thank goodness for that, because within a few short weeks of dating Mr H, I knew that he was the man I would marry one day. As I watched him father his little girl, who quickly stole my heart, I had an insight into the kind of man he was.
I realised that any woman would be very lucky to have Mr H in their lives.
Fast forward ten years and here we are, married, with two little munchkins of our own. And today, in honour of Fathers Day, I want to share my top ten reasons, why in my humble opinion, Mr H is the best dad ever. (Casting no dispersions on all the other great dads out there, but sorry, Mr H, really is the best. Plus my own dad. Natch’.)
1. He shows the children unconditional love. When he calls Amelia and Nate, darling, I melt. It’s quite beautiful. He tells them every day that he loves them. But more importantly than that, he demonstrates this with his every action.
2. He is a great role model. We’re very affectionate as a couple. Mr H has no difficulty in holding my hand in public and yes, on occasion, we’ll even have a quick smooch. And as a result we have extremely loving children. Now, I am aware that in a few years, us doing any PDA’s will result in some serious mortification for the kids. In a perverse way, I’m kinda looking forward to that! But one day, whatever men or women our children settle down with, will thank us for all the love in this house.
3. Mr H is the undisputed tickle king. He can make them howl with laughter within seconds. He’s a fun dad.
4. He reads to them. He understands that the quiet moments are just as important as the giddy rough-housing. We share the bedtime routine every night and on the occasions that Mr H is away for work, his absence leaves a big gaping hole in our routine.
5. Speaking of work, he has an incredible work ethic. He works hard every day and is a man that the children can look up to and respect. I know that everything he does, is with his family at the forefront of his mind. He wants to create a life for us all that is safe, secure and happy.
6. He’s great at ironing. Seriously. He really is. I’m pants at it. He also is a dab hand at washing up, can make a mean spaghetti bolognese and basically rolls his sleeves up and shows the kids every day, that a marriage is about partnership. Even in the rubbishy housework department.
7. He’s Mr Family Guy – by choice. I love that he will chose to be with us every time. Over anything else, except perhaps for VIP tickets to see Liverpool play or his beloved Dubs. For me, there’s no where I’d rather be than at home with my H’s. I love that it’s the same for Mr H too.
8. He gets down with the crazy. Right, here’s the thing. I’ve a big imagination. Comes with the territory. So I invent lots of games and songs and shows and now, we have two little munchkins, who are displaying even bigger imaginations than mine. Mr H took a while to get used to this. He used to wear a bemused look quite a bit. But now, he doesn’t miss a beat when he’s asked to take part in a dancing unicorn princess show, with special guest appearances from the Ninja turtles. He just puts on a big goofy michaelangelo smile and jumps right in.
9. He supports them in all they do. He endeavours to be at every school meeting, concert and talk. When they look back on their childhood, they’ll see both mother and father by their side all the time. Pretty cool right?
10. Arguably one of the most important – ahem – hence leaving it till last. He listens to me, gives credence to my every motherly concern and beleives that my mothers instinct should be trusted. Even if that means, me saying in the middle of the night, we need to go to the care doc. Now. And when I go all the way down to crazy town, (me? never!) he comes with me, and calmly listens as I rant and rave about whatever has gotten me all riled up. Then quietly guides me to a large Gin & Tonic.
Yep, he’s a good man, Mr H.