A Whole Lotta Love ❤️

This past weekend was FULL of love in many ways! Saturday was Jimmys 45th birthday, Sunday was Fathers Day and it was Pride weekend. Our family managed to successfully celebrate all 3.

The scene Saturday was busy & frantic from the moment I opened my eyes. As we approached the 9am hour the teens were out the door and the tweens were still applying make-up and waiting for the rainbow tye-dye shirts to dry. I threw on my “love wins” shirt, festive wig and off we went to jump celebrate love. Columbus’ support of the LGBTQ+ community was second to none. There were folks of all ages lining the streets in every color of the rainbow. It was beautiful! I’m so happy I was able to share it with Maria & Gina and my cousins.

There’s meaning behind all of it. It’s not just a moment for women to be topless, men to wear speedos and drag queens to perform. It’s about expression and a moment of acceptance. I have 3 gay cousins and not for one second did it matter to me their sexuality when they came out. One of which was my BFF growing up and is no longer with us. I wish we lived in a more accepting world. There’s been a lot of progress through the years but there’s still a ways to go. I hope I get to see the day where all individuals are seen equally without bias.

As we stood at the corner of High & Spring watching the parade pass there was an individual standing next to us with tears in her eyes. She recently came out in her small town in Tennessee where she was not accepted. She traveled to columbus for Pride and was brought to tears by the outpouring of the estimated 500,000 people in attendance. That’s what the day was meant for…to provide hope, love & support to those deserving, but not receiving.

As the girls and I celebrated pride, my husband was celebrating his birthday doing his favorite pastime – golfing. We met up back at the house for dinner, gifts and oops – we forgot the cake. The girls made up for the forgotten cake on Monday.

Sunday was Fathers Day shared with family and the US Open. I reflected on my dad and how he’d be watching the Open also and remembering Jimmys birthday a day late. He made us all laugh even until the very end. My girls hit the dad lottery even if they don’t know it. He loves them unconditionally. He’s the hardest working man I know and will give his 3 Produce princesses anything their little hearts desire. They showered him with homemade cards and gifts. Gina topped the day off with this amazing chair she made from plywood at woodshop camp. Jimmy and I are blessed with 4 dads combined. This is one of my favorite pictures of them all from our wedding. Although we’re not always together on these special occasions it doesn’t mean we aren’t remembering & giving thanks for the important men in our lives. I feel I failed a bit this year in my daughter/wife duties in gift-giving, cards & calls but I hope it goes without saying that I wish a very Happy Fathers Day to all 4 of my fabulous fathers!