Father’s Day is always a special day in our house. With two dads heading the family, this day takes on double the meaning, and our kids celebrate both dads with equal love and fun. This double header certainly makes for a full day!

When we decided we wanted a family more than 16 years ago and began the adoption process, Triton and I knew our version would look a little different than some. For starters, we knew Mother’s Day would be a little more challenging, and Father’s Day would be a bonanza! Having two dads, our girls have grown up finding ways to honor us both with a day shared between us – which makes it even more special.

When they were super little, teachers at school would help them create handmade mementos and keepsakes for Father’s Day. While most students kept busy creating one very special item, our girls had the added benefit of making two of everything. While their neighbors were gluing fake jewels to a hand-painted photo frame, Ava and Sophia were making one for Daddy AND one for Papi. This tradition has carried on through the years, and we have the collection of prized possessions to prove it.

One year it was felt bookmarks with adorably awkward stitched flowers and animals applied, the backs a mishmash of crossed strings, crazy knots and loving pin pricks. Another year, we receive a collection of handy potholders, made with love from fabric swatches and the odd button or two. My favorites are the glazed ceramic figures of indiscriminate form, described with great seriousness as a giraffe, a turtle, a frog and various sunflowers – all brightly colored and sweetly off-kilter.

These are gifts Triton and I opened with great fanfare on Father’s Day morning, coffee in one hand and each with a sweet little girl on our knee – a shared experience, no mom in sight.

And that’s the beauty of this special day in our relationship – we get to share Father’s Day with our kids as well as each other. Double the Dads, and double to fun.

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