10/11/2026
If there’s one thing I can say about Jake’s dad, it’s that he has ALWAYS been the first person to show up when we need someone.
I tripped over a transmission… he was the first one there to pick me up.
I fell backwards into the lake trying to climb the ladder onto the boat… he was the first one reaching down to pull me out.
The week of our wedding, my engine blew up on I65. I called Jake, called my dad, then called Jake’s dad… guess who got there first?? WITH a trailer to get my twin sister and I back home.
On our way to Cleveland, my brakes locked up and started smoking… not only did he show up with a rollback to haul my car home, but he brought his own truck so we could STILL make it to Cleveland.
one of the things I’ll forever be most thankful for is how he showed up for me when my dad passed away.
He couldn't fix the grief and weight of my sadness… no one could. But he knew exactly what I needed without me having to say a word. The biggest hugs, a shoulder to cry on and someone who was always so receptive to my grief.
He's not someone who just says, "Call me if you need anything." He's the person who is already on his way before you've even figured out what you're going to do.
He's been the first to pick me up, the first to pull me out, the first to come rescue us… and when I experienced one of the greatest losses of my life, he was right there to help hold me together.
He has never tried to replace my dad, and I would never expect him to. But I hope he knows just how much it means to have someone who continues to show up for me in all the ways a dad would.
Some people marry into a family and gain in-laws… I married into a family and gained a mom, a dad, 5 sisters, and 4 brothers.
P.S. the past month & a half have been extremely hard, stressful, just completely overwhelming. If you could, pray for strength so we can continue just rollin with the punches 🫶
