a new green tie for one really great guy

On Thursday after school, the boys and I went into Manhattan to run an errand at JCPenney. Part of our mission there was to find a nice tie to give Blake for Father's Day. (I know it's completely cliche to give a guy a tie for Father's Day, but that is honestly and truly what Blake really wants. He's a guy who loves a new tie.) Our mission was successfully accomplished when we spotted a green paisley tie almost exactly like the one Blake wished he was given to wear for my sister's recent wedding. Part of the perk of this particular tie was that, thanks to the wedding, Garrett has a miniature clip-on version that is almost exactly the same. We purchased the tie and then walked down Broadway to meet Blake at his office after work.

Before we hopped on the subway to all head home together, Garrett announced that he needed to use the potty. The closest bathroom was in Blake's office building, so he took Garrett inside and up the elevator to the 14th floor (where the executive suites, and by natural consequence, the cleanest restrooms, are located). Because of the security clearances required to enter the building, Caleb and I opted to wait for them outside on a bench.

After Garrett had finished his business and as we were packing everyone back up to get on the train, Blake leaned over to me and said, "So, Garrett told me about my new green tie."

I blushed. "He did? Because that was supposed to be a surprise. What exactly did he tell you?"

"That I was getting a 'new green tie' for Father's Day that was just like his," Blake replied.

"Oh. Well. That about sums it up, I guess." I said. "I hope you like it."

It turns out that, even though Garrett, in all his excitement over giving his dad a green tie just like his for Father's Day, unintentionally spilled the beans, Blake did like his gift. He wore it today and, if I may say so, looked quite dashing.

I am lucky to have a man like Blake working by my side to raise our children. And Garrett and Caleb are incredibly lucky to have a man like him for their father. Between working full time to support his family, and spending what sometimes feels like the rest of his time serving as the father of our ward, Blake is an incredibly busy guy. But despite the challenging restraints on his time, he manages to make every moment count, especially in his role as a father. I often find him down on the floor with his boys building things with Legos or attempting to teach them amateur magic tricks, or outside showing them how to ride their scooters around the block. He sees to it that we have Family Home Evening every Monday night, and when my patience wears too thin, he's there to pick up the slack. I'd be lost without him, and so would the boys (especially Caleb, who recently turned into a little daddy's boy). Happy Father's Day, Blake! We sure do love you!