cheers to 42 years

On Saturday, we celebrated my dad’s retirement after 42 years!

My dad graduated from Clemson with a degree in mechanical engineering, and went to work for Milliken & Company right out of college. Over the years, he worked at many different locations in SC, but settled in Abbeville when we moved to Greenwood somewhere around the time I turned three. The Abbeville plant became Sage Automotive several years ago, and thankfully, Dad stayed on in his position. With the minor exception of the company name change, he has basically dedicated his entire career to one company.

I can remember throughout my childhood Dad getting calls at midnight [after a full day of work] with a “problem only he could fix.” He’d get up, get dressed, go into work, return around 2:00am only to get called again at 4:00am and repeat the process. Never once did I hear him complain. Never once did I hear him curse. Never once did I witness any type of frustration.

How am I his daughter, again? I’m pretty sure that’s the one gene I did not inherit from him. #goals

My dad’s work ethic is just one example of the many traits that make him amazing. His hardwork, his loyalty, his dedication, his patience, his drive, his ability to lead and serve, his ability to love others well. I remember my mom once telling me he wished he had been present more for us when we were kids….excuse me, what? Literally my exact response.  I was totally confused as to why he would ever feel that way.

I was blessed with an amazing childhood, with two very involved parents who were [and still are] intentional about family time. I never felt I missed out on anything. My dad never missed a dance performance in 15 years; in fact, he would be at all three showings [in one weekend], each time with flowers. He never missed a school play, a soccer game [insert chuckle], a football game to watch me cheer, a chorus performance, or a graduation. He was always home for dinner. He never missed family vacations or holidays. He was always out in the yard with us on the weekends. He volunteered extra time at our school(s) to help set up for performances, assist with fundraisers, build homecoming props… how could he have spent any more time with us? As I saw it, he gave us all of his time.

As if freely giving us his time wasn’t enough, he always gave us his undivided attention. He never sat on his phone while we played in the corner [something I am guilty of every day]. He was always first to volunteer to help me with my math homework, to teach me to drive, to help me move [eh..SEVEN times], to take care of our pets, to bring us dinner. He taught us the difference between right and wrong, and no matter how many times my brother and I got it wrong or deliberately disobeyed [which was often], he never yelled, he never gave up or let his emotions take over. He listened, he forgave, he hugged, he told us he loved us…unconditionally. Each time we failed, he would rescue us first, ask questions and discuss later. It was something I always admired about him. I was never afraid of him or how he would react. He was a safe place. Consistent.

As I’ve become an adult I realize how exhausting and difficult that must’ve been. And to have done it so gracefully. I don’t think I will ever be able to manage the balance between work and home that well. It wasn’t until I became a mom that I fully understood God’s love for His children. However, I now see it in everything I do. Every lesson I strive to teach Reaves, are lessons God is [and has always been] trying to teach me. To trust, to obey, to follow, to love, to be kind, to serve others. The comparison of God’s parenthood to ours is endless. 

I truly believe God is using this season of my life to reveal more of who He is to me. More about His mercy, more about His unconditional love, more about trusting Him for my needs, more about understanding He has gone before me, more about my need for His wisdom and direction, more about coming to Him with my questions, cares, and anxieties. He is a safe place, a place where I can rest, even when [especially when] I fail. And now, through my own parental lenses, I can look back and see how well my earthly father applied the love of our Heavenly Father to us. How he engaged us. And if my earthly father's love is so great, how much greater is God's love for me, the Creator of the universe... this idea is way too big for me to process. It is overwhelmingly satisfying. 

I am learning more about what kind of parent God is, and what it looks like to follow His example, just as my dad did, so that Reaves may grasp the lesson of the loving, patient, great God we serve.

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

“Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” Colossians 3:21

“May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5

My dad is amazing, and deserves celebration. Mom worked for months to pull off a surprise party with our family and their closest friends, and I must say, it couldn’t have gone better. Dad was so surprised. He deserves it, and so much more. I hope he always knows how much he means to us, and to others whose life he has impacted. I only speak to the type of father he is, but the presence of everyone who came is a testament to the type of husband, brother, uncle, brother-in-law,  father-in-law, “Pop”, and friend he is to so many others.

Happy Retirement, Dad! Here’s to the first Monday in 42 years that you can snooze [or just not set] that alarm clock. Enjoy it! We love you to the moon.

Pictures from the party

Party venue: T.W. Boones