My husband is my life. He is also the patriarch of our family. Today was a very special day for most fathers out there. But today was not a day that I or Jacob or Adina got to celebrate with Jonathan. He is a committed father.

But he has another daughter, Valentina, my step-daughter, and she lives in California. My husband wanted to be with all 3 of his children today, but it was logistically impossible. So he split the weekend the best way he could. We spent Friday night as a family celebrating Father’s Day in Chicago. We spent Saturday evening at a fundraiser for the hospital who featured our story for their annual gala and then he was up at 5am to catch a flight to spend a couple of nights in California so Valentina would have Father’s Day with her daddy. Even Valentina understands what her father does in order to spend time with her and she calls me several times a day to tell me how excited she is to see him. I knew it was the right decision.

I am in awe of his determination to keep family together and I am inspired by his never-ending energy to just show up. Even when obstacle are put in his way. He just makes it work for the sake of his family. We are, and always will be his priority. And his children will grow up knowing what sacrifices are being made in order to be a great father.  Father’s day is any day and every day of the week as far as I am concerned.  A day to celebrate the father in your life and recognize him for just “showing up.”

To all of your fathers out there today–for all you do that gets noticed and for all you do that doesn’t– Happy Father’s Day