Milton~
You knew when to be my father.
You knew when to be my friend.
You knew when to lay the law down,
And you knew when to be the leader
And the teacher and the guide,
But when time
came to try my wings,
You smiled and stepped aside...
You knew how to be a father
Through each season
and each phase,
And with love I want to thank you
For your wise and knowing ways.
Happy Father's Day
Love~ Mika Sue
Poem written on June 16, 2002
Milton and I married in May of 1986~ Mika was 3 years old. Milton raised and loved Mika as if she were his very own. No one could tell he wasn't her birth father. The only clue was~ she called him "Milton". He did everything right, he did everything a Dad does for a loving daughter. He provided a safe home, a understanding sweet gentle way of listening. A first bike, the only golf cart in the neighborhood for all the kids to drive and ride on! Breakfast every Saturday morning, fried eggs and bacon. A church home. Sweet hugs and love when your birth Dad died. Golf lessons, rides to cheer-leading, dance, tumbling, cheer-leading camp, school. Vacations, cute clothes, your first car, your second car, your third car. College...four years of COLLEGE! Going with you to Dallas to our first "real" job interview...that was scary! But, you got the job...remember? You stood in the middle of that Dallas Mall in your beautiful business suit and cried to Milton..."He hired me, I got the job!" ...Milton was so proud! He helped you through that first year and a half of your first job...until it was time to make your first "career change" ...Milton is always there to help you with your many questions about jobs, cars, tires, insurance, cell phones, plumbing and your Mother. = )
On August 24, 2008~ Milton will have the privilege and honor of walking you down the isle on your wedding day...
We think you do everything just right Milton! Happy Father's Day...
...We Love You Mika and Tina...
Hey you made me cry! What a beautiful tribute. Your daughter has been so fortunate.
Posted by: Bettsi | June 26, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Mika, I'd say you're a very lucky and blessed young lady to have Milton in your life.
Blessings!!
Sher
Posted by: sherscreativeexpressions | June 18, 2008 at 09:47 PM
What an astounding tribute. This made me totally breakdown and sob. Thank God for people like Milton.
Posted by: Daisyslittlecottage | June 18, 2008 at 07:40 PM
That was beautiful!...I cried through that post...I had a "Milton" when I was growing up, too...He was my everthing! It's been 8 years since he has past...Thank you for sharing that beautiful post...meme
Posted by: Meme | June 17, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Sweetest post I have read in a long long time. Milton, you da man!
Posted by: Nancy | June 16, 2008 at 06:30 PM
Sweetest post I have read in a long long time. Milton, you da man!
Posted by: Nancy | June 16, 2008 at 06:30 PM
That is without a doubt the sweetest thing. We don't have children that old yet but I sure hope they see all that their daddy does and appreciate him like this.
Blessings,
Trixi
Posted by: Trixi | June 16, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Oh my goodness, if this Father's Day post doesn't break tears to your eyes I don't know what would. It sounds as if you've all been blessed.
Posted by: Kay O | June 16, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Tina,
You are a blessed woman!
Rita
Posted by: Rita | June 16, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Tina and Mika,
What a warm & wonderful tribute, obviously written straight from the heart. There is no disguising the love you feel for one another.
Hugs to you all!
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn | June 16, 2008 at 11:12 AM
That is one lucky Milton and one lucky sweet little family ~ Happy Fathers Day Milton, and all the other Milton's out in the world. . . . . xoxo
Posted by: Patrice | June 16, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Wow Milton sounds like one special man! It really does take a special man to be good step father and it's very rare when you find one that treats your child like his own. Mika and you are very fortunate!
Posted by: cindy~My Romantic Home | June 16, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Hi Tina:
What a sweet post about Milton and Mika! Thanks for sharing!
Mary Jane
Posted by: Mary Jane Smith | June 16, 2008 at 10:17 AM
Awesome!
Posted by: Rachel Going | June 16, 2008 at 09:52 AM
How sweet! What a blessing Milton has been in Mika's life and your own! What a great man!
Hugs, Sharon
Posted by: Sharon | June 16, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Milton, Tina & Mika,
I am so glad you "found" each other and have made such wonderful family memories together.
Thank you for sharing with us!
Posted by: Chris | June 16, 2008 at 07:48 AM
Beautiful tribute. I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | June 16, 2008 at 06:47 AM
Beautiful tribute. I hope you all had a wonderful Father's Day.
Posted by: Susan Ramey Cleveland | June 16, 2008 at 06:46 AM
What a lovely way to honor a great Dad! Milton is one lucky guy!
Posted by: birdnestcottage | June 16, 2008 at 05:40 AM
Mica, your poem is beautiful. Milton and Tina, well done on raising such a beautiful daughter. Milton you are obviously a very special man. Blessings to all of you. Rachael
Posted by: Rachael | June 16, 2008 at 01:13 AM
Happy Father's Day, Milton! Way to go on being there for your family! Huge kudos to you!!
Becky
Posted by: Sweet Cottage Dreams | June 15, 2008 at 11:45 PM
that was so sweet and that Milton sounds like a swell guy!
Posted by: Theresa @Take A Sentimental Journey | June 15, 2008 at 09:45 PM
AWWWW Mika and Tina that was beautiful.!! Such loving words.
My Father passed away 10 years ago
and he was only in his early 60s.
Pamela in NE OHIO
Posted by: Pamela | June 15, 2008 at 09:25 PM
Hi Tina - I loved this post which is a wonderful tribute to Milton!! My own brother (Mike) is a stepfather to a sweet 7 year old named Malerie and he feels the same way about her as Milton does for Mika. And now he has a 2 month old son to complete his family. God bless the Miltons and the Mikes of this world.
I continue to enjoy each of your posts! Your friend, Sheila in west Michigan
Posted by: Sheila | June 15, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Tina, I just read your posting for today and tears starting flowing. I'm sure Milton got a double good deal when he found ya'll also! Lucky little family!
Posted by: Sharon | June 15, 2008 at 08:00 PM
what a sweet post. it doesn't matter who your Dad is, but what he is!
Posted by: asnipofgoodness | June 15, 2008 at 07:49 PM
This beautiful post brought me to tears. It touched my heart on so many different levels....Mary
Posted by: Mary Isabella | June 15, 2008 at 06:21 PM
Oh Tina, what a beautiful post and a very loving tribute. What a special man and a blessing to be sure.
Hugs,
Dena
Posted by: Dena | June 15, 2008 at 03:08 PM
what a great Dad, what a great family!!!!
thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Angela | June 15, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Hi Tina,
Beautiful post, I agree! I also am married for the second time around and both my daughters are treated so wondefully by their stepdad, Tony. We are so blessed. Happy Father's Day to all our fabulous dads!~Hugs, Rosemary~
Posted by: Rosemary | June 15, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Beautiful thoughts! Thank you to all of the 'Milton's' in our lives. Happy Father's Day from our hearts to yours. ~Adrienne~
Posted by: Adrienne | June 15, 2008 at 01:07 PM
What a wonderful post...
Elise
Posted by: Elise | June 15, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Happy Father's Day to Milton - everything that a father should be.
Tina, I read this with goosebumps and tears.
God is so great.
Posted by: Beverly | June 15, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Okay, no fair.. That post, the poem, the sentiments expressed and the music in the background did me in... tears are flowing. Beautiful post, Mika and Tina! Happy father's day, Milton :)...Donna
Posted by: An Enchanted Cottage | June 15, 2008 at 11:58 AM