Father’s Day was officially signed into law in 1972 by President Richard M. Nixon. But did you know that the Father’s Day celebrations as we know them began in 1910 thanks to the efforts of Ms Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, the loving daughter of a civil war veteran and widower who raised his 5 children after his wife died in childbirth? “Fairly mature at the age of 27, Sonora listened to a Sunday Sermon on Mother’s Day in 1909. Loving daughter of a devoted father, Sonora wondered that if there is a day to honor mothers why is there no corresponding day to honor all fathers. The question left a deep impression on her mind and she resolved to get fathers their due respect in the society.”
And did you know the reason why we celebrate Father’s day in June is because Sonora’s father’s birthday was then? But many scholars insist that a celebration of a Father’s Day goes back even farther. There are records of a young boy named Elmesu having carved a Father’s Day message on a card made of clay more than 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylon! He wished his father good health and long life.
It’s no wonder that fathers have been celebrated through the centuries and in many countries of the world. They provide such an important role and have shaped the lives of many millions of children. I have been blessed with a wonderful father who has always supported me in following my dreams and has taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I have never doubted that he has loved me and he is and inspiration and role model to me in so many ways. I love watching him as a grandfather to my own kids (and my nieces and nephews as well). He sure loves those kids and they love him in return, as quirky as he can sometimes be! I have also been blessed to be married to a man who takes seriously his role as a father and who loves my children every bit as much as if they were his very own. He is a wonderful father, a great teacher and a whole lot of fun to be around! He’s a great example to me of how to be an awesome parent, and the kids love for him to be around.
So this is my tribute to father’s everywhere. Probably my favorite aspect of my job is the opportunity to capture meaningful relationships -and the love between a father and his children is evident in so many sessions that I’ve captured! Enjoy just a sampling of the beautiful relationships I get to see on almost a daily basis in my wonderful job!
Whereas my photos of moms with their kiddos are usually close and snuggly, my photos of dads with their kids are often action shots!
Finally, here is a photo of my own dad, taken last Thanksgiving:
And more recently, at my own wedding this year. Photography by Gilmore Studios!
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