Father’s Day is often seen as a time of celebration, a day to lift up the men who have loved, guided, and protected their families. But for some it also brings a deep ache, a reminder of what they’ve lost, what they carry, and the love that still lives on through grief. I know for some this Father’s Day feels especially heavy. But in the midst of all the sorrow, there is still space to honor. And there is so much honor due.
To Jason, Joshua’s dad:
You and I have walked through unthinkable loss. Together, we navigated the loss of Sarah in 2006 and beyond. Now grappling with the still fresh pain of losing Joshua this past December, there are no words that fully capture the depth of that pain. We’ve experienced these tragedies from different perspectives, with different hearts, but we’ve both loved Joshua and Sarah fiercely, and always will. We haven’t always seen things the same way, but I have always respected your role as a father, not just to Joshua and Sarah, but to all your children.
You’re also a father to bonus children and now a grandfather. That legacy of love and presence matters deeply. It’s clear that your heart has made room for many. Even in the sorrow, you’ve remained a devoted father. And while we’ve grieved at a distance, I’ve found comfort in the small ways we’ve been able to support and encourage one another. I see your grief, I see your strength, and I honor you today.
To my husband, Kelly:
For nearly 11 years, you’ve stood beside me not only as a husband and a partner in life, but as a father to the children I brought into our marriage. You’ve never treated them as anything other than your own. You’ve shown them love without condition, patience without limit, and a kind of quiet strength that has helped shape our home into a place of peace. You’ve also continued to show up for your own children and grandchildren, even when it’s hard. You’ve remained a steady presence, calm in the chaos, listening without judgement, and a source of strength and guidance.
Since losing Joshua, you’ve carried me in ways I will never forget. You’ve let me grieve freely, never once trying to minimize my pain, even while I know you’ve been grieving too. I know this pain has stirred something deeper in you, memories of losing your own brother, of watching your mom grieve in some of the same ways I grieve. I know how hard it must be to watch that unfold all over again. I know you loved Joshua deeply. And I love you more for that.
To my Dad:
You have always been the steady, quiet presence in my life. The kind of father who never asks for attention, but who shows love through consistency, kindness, and calm strength. I know you’ve been grieving too. I know the losses of Joshua and Sarah, your grandchildren, hit you deeply. And I also know that you’ve held back, not wanting to overshadow my pain, not wanting to draw focus to your own.
But today, I want to say it clearly…I see you. I see the way you’ve held your grief close. I see how deeply you love all of us. And I am so grateful for the way you’ve continued to hold space for my sorrow, even when your heart has been breaking too. You are a good father and a deeply loving grandfather, and that deserves to be honored.
To Gage, Jason’s dad:
It’s been many years since we’ve seen each other, but I have not forgotten your story or the weight you carry. You’ve known loss in a way no parent or grandparent should. Losing your son Jeremy, and now two grandchildren. That kind of pain is unnatural. No one should have to live through that. But you have. And your strength, even from a distance, is not unnoticed. Today, I want to acknowledge your sorrow and honor your enduring love for your family. You are part of the legacy that shaped Jason, Joshua, and Sarah and that still matters today as it continues to shape your children and grandchildren still here with us.
While this Father’s Day is more bitter than sweet and the annual acknowledgement may be filled with as much pain as celebration, even in the darkness, there is light in the love these men have given, in the lives they’ve shaped, in the strength they’ve shown. Today, I honor the fathers who are here, who have loved, who have lost, and who keep on loving through it all.
Jason, Kelly, Dad, Gage…thank you. Thank you for the love you have given, for the strength you have shown, and for the way you continue to carry the memories of those we’ve lost. I know there are many more that deserve to be recognized on this day but these are the men who are heavy on my heart this Father’s Day.
To all the men who have loved, lost, and continued to love…you are seen, you are appreciated, you are honored. Sending love to all the fathers who carry both joy and grief on this day and every day.
