Thank you, Superhero Dads! We appreciate you.

Today I watched as my husband helped our children to their daily breakfast before school, a task he handles each morning so that I can enjoy 15 minutes to myself before venturing off to the real world. As I walk downstairs, I hear him start his daily affirmations with our children, each one unique and personalized for their very own strengths and weaknesses. He’s a real-life superhero, I tell you! In between arguments over socks that don’t match, or shirts that aren’t as “awesome” as our 4-year-old would like, he is always that calming force, reminding us all that we are capable of great things and that today will be a fabulous day, even with unmatched socks.

I’m lucky and I know it. If you’re lucky enough to have a real-life superhero father to help parent your kiddos, take the time today to tell them “thank you.” In the craziness of the parenting life, it’s something we probably don’t do enough.

To all the real-life Superhero Dads, keep reading, this one’s for you!

Dads, thank you for being our real-life superhero! We may not tell you daily how much we appreciate your superpower efforts but we do. Trust me when I say we are thankful for your ability to swing in and save the day, even if that is something as simple as opening a jar of pickles or remembering to sign the homework folder when we’ve managed to forget 3 days in a row.

So, Superhero dads, we say thank you, for this list and so much more:

Thank you for all of the hard work and dedication you put forth daily to make this family stable, healthy and safe. For taking the time to head into your professional job with a hurried mind and grape juice on your tie.

Thank you for all of the breakfasts made and backpacks zipped so that us moms can have an extra 10 minutes to straighten ourselves up before venturing out to the professional world. It allows us to be a little more composed and a little less chaotic than normal.

Thank you for stepping in when our little self-created army is losing their mind over the fact that they have to brush their teeth in the mornings or go to bed when it’s “still light outside”.

Thank you for letting me “tap out” on those times where I’m about to cry or completely lose it because I’ve been arguing with our 6-year-old for 10 minutes about why she cannot wear her “high-heels” to school. In those moments, you’re a lifesaver!

Thank you for the times when you strap on the cape and mask because our 4-year-old has asked you to, for reading the “Be Quiet” book ten times in a week because it’s our kids favorite, for letting our daughter make you “pretty”, for playing Uno every time they ask, and for participating, even when it’s not easy.

Thank you for providing for us, not just monetarily, but more importantly, the smiles, laughs, hugs and endless amounts of love you give each day, even on the tough ones.

Thank you for zipping the jackets, tying the shoes, signing the homework folder, sending the teacher an email, and handling the simple tasks that sometimes I’m just not capable of handling.

Thank you for the glass of wine you let me sneak off and enjoy. That simple time-out helps me relax and prepare for the next day of chaos, hectic schedules, rigorous homework, and just overall “adulting”.

Thank you for being my partner in parenthood, an adventure that is always-changing, unpredictable, and sometimes maddening. In case I haven’t told you lately, you’re a superhero dad and we are SO lucky to have you!

Happy Father’s Day, Dads. This one’s for you.