When my husband and I became parents, almost 13 years ago, we didn't have a clue what we were doing. {Really, does anyone?} We were young, easy going, go-with-the-flow parents. We enjoyed parenthood so much, that we couldn't wait to keep growing our family. My husband, Dan, loved nothing more than being a father to our little girl, Alicia.It wasn't until our second child was born, a daughter, that we really understood how much of our hearts went into being a parent. Our lives were completely thrown off course, when our baby, Katie Belle, was born terminally ill in 2004. She lived a short, yet meaningful life. My husband grieved in his own, difficult way, yet never lost sight of his surviving daughter or his damaged wife {ahem, that's me.}

We were broken. Scratch that. I was BROKEN. There were days that I didn't think I could live. There were days I cried for hours, as I banged my head against the glass shower door, waiting to see what would happen when my head went through the glass. My husband, the father of my two precious little girls, saved me from the darkest days of my depression.

Dan never gave up on me. He always picked me up when I fell. Every time I doubted my ability as a Mother, he lifted me higher than ever before. He was open minded when it came to understanding my illness. He took it upon himself to learn about depression and anxiety, and he willingly embraced new ways of parenting - just to support the Mother of his surviving child, Alicia. It was very important that she have a healthy Mother to raise her.

There were days when we doubted that we'd ever have more children. Those were long, dark days that seemed to never end. There were subsequent pregnancy losses, which only drove me further into depression. It was my husband, that saved me over and over again. Without him, I wouldn't be able to sit here and write this today.

He is the best father and husband I could ever have asked for. He never once gave up on me. It is because of his unwavering love, and support for me, that we have been blessed again and again with more biological reproductions of ourselves. {Even two at once!} We now have four surviving children, Alicia(12), Audrey(7), Evelyn(7) & Ryan(2.) We never gave up on our dream of having a large family, even though it cost us years of struggle and heartaches. Who knew building a family could hurt so much? {Certainly not me}

Being a Dad isn't just about what you do with your kids. Sure, it's undoubtedly the most fun part, but equally important, is supporting the Mother of your children.

Thank you, Dan. Thank you for fixing me over and over again, each time you found me broken. I love you more than words could ever express. Happy Father's Day, to the best Dad, ever!