My dad loves my mom, my brothers, and me unconditionally. He shows it in his words and actions. He does everything he can to protect us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

My dad is a wonderful steward of the resources God has given him. He has taught me the importance of not living for the pleasures of this life but of having an eternal perspective. He gives generously to missions and to the poor. His example has made a lasting impact on me.

My dad is diligent. Not only he works hard outside the home to provide for us, he also works hard at home. He does yard work and takes care of the house’s maintenance. He is good at fixing things and improvising. For example, how many dads can kill bugs with a rubber band? By the way, it’s fun to watch!

I enjoy spending time with my dad. He has a great sense of humor and makes us laugh a lot.
Even work can become fun when I’m doing it with Dad. He taught me how to play piano as well as basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, and badminton. Daddy is always there to help me whether with math problems or with my fears.

Honestly, no essay can fully express how blessed I am to be my Daddy’s daughter. He is already Father of the Year every year to me.

~Alyssa Liljequist, age 15
(with my parent’s permission)

He does not complain when life gets hard, but rather lives life with joy and purpose. This was tested a few years ago when his wife died from pancreatic cancer. He stayed by her side and cared for her until she passed away. My father was never bitter. He chose to live life and every time I talk to him, he mentions how grateful he is for everything that he has.

As a child, his gentleness and sincerity won me over. My father never raised his voice. He didn’t need to. When I faltered, a mere look of disappointment could bring me to tears. As an adult, his sense of fairness and his wisdom make him the first person I seek when I need counsel. You see, my father is the best simply because he is a truly good man with a heart that loves his children and his grandchildren deeply. He is a man who has taught me how to live with character simply by being who he is. In truth, the words above fall short. They don’t honor my father, who has been my “Father of the Year” each year of my life, nearly enough.

He’s got the biggest heart and hands so large that he can easily hold a newborn. Arms so strong that they could probably lift a small car; but those same arms have always been open for hugs from his 3 beautiful daughters and his one granddaughter.
My dad represents everything a True Dad should be. He has worked as hard as he can, sometimes even harder, to provide for his daughters and his loving wife. And now, he even works to spoil his first grandbaby.
My dad has done so much for me and my two sisters. He has helped support my oldest sister, her husband, and their daughter through the hardest times, even if his own business isn’t doing very well. He is always finding time to do special stuff with his daughters and will drop anything to help us. He is willing to do anything to make sure that we have a great home and loves spoiling us rotten.
Although my dad did not have the best childhood growing up, that has not stopped him from being the best father today. He has done so much and will continue to do alot for me and my 2 sisters, along with his first granddaughter. It is these qualities that make him the absolute best father!

And as a bonus::::HE LOVES PGA! lol

Most parents go away on vacation to get away from their kids but last week, my mom felt the need to call me and tell me how lost Dad looked in the pool without my sister and I there to race against and toss around.

I’m actually the twin sister that Amanda H is referring to (and am on the left in that picture she attached to her entry).

Our Dad means everything to us and neither of our entries do him enough justice but I guess you’ll just have to take our word for it! He really is the best.

Thanks for giving me the chance to let everyone know how special he is!

I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Our family was typical American – Dad, factory electrician; Mom, family manager. At 16, I felt sorry for myself. Responsible, active, religious, and smart; yet strict rules for the sibling example-setter, expected to respect elders and do my best in everything. Fearful of failure, why didn’t Dad trust me? It came crystal clear at 47 watching my dad fight the biggest battle of his life.

Transparent were all his lifetime experiences. He’s the second of eleven children; the twins died. Grandfather didn’t always bring home the whole paycheck, which led to bacon-lard sandwiches, street fights and my Dad’s family being gone one day after arriving home from school.

The Milwaukee County Children’s Home had a lot of rules. He and his siblings quickly learned consequences for lack of respect, chores and doing their best. No parental arms to guide them through the emotionally-developing years. When 16, his Dad died. With brother now in the service, Dad was the man of their family.

This and much more led to the over-achiever that he is in school, sports, marriage, and parenting each of his children to be the best that they can be in life . . . despite what life throws at you. I am forever grateful that it was my dad that learned the hard way so he could simply share life lessons with us.

I have a wonderful husband, family, home, faith-life, career, education, talents galore and zest for life. I now know that you can do anything you want if you just try hard enough – even survive cancer. This is why my dad deserves the Father of the Year Award.