Christy

 Happy 70th Birthday Dad!! 

It can be difficult to express in words the feelings one has towards someone they love.  I am going to do my best to express my love and gratitude for you. 

 I am eternally grateful to the Lord to have met your son in college, because it led me to the greatest in-laws ever!! And I mean if you were to have a favorite kid, your shirt would read, 

"If I were to have a favorite kid, it most definitely would be my daughter-in-law".

They say when you get married, you not only gain a spouse for life but you gain an entire family! And boy did I hit the jackpot. It is going on almost 25 years since I was so graciously and lovingly welcomed and accepted into the Hodges family, and everyday I count it as my greatest blessing in life. Thank you dad for opening your loving arms to me and loving me like your own from the start.

 Over the years, we have had the greatest (pee-your-pants) surprises, the loudest belly roars, the snot-flying, spit-your-drink-out bursts of laughter, the longest-sweetest hugs, the countless movie quotes, ("Kevin! What did you do to my room?!"), the ultimate card playing moments (Jerry, you can't do that!), funniest board games (Jerry, that doesn't go in your mouth!), craziest puzzle daysssss ("seats taken"), frisbee golf tournaments, corn hole throwing, Powerhouse BOISE STATE football games, Disney vacation where our feet almost fell off, Beautiful dazzling Italy and Switzerland, amazing and wonderful Christmas's and Thanksgivings, little girls' baptisms, multiple graduation and retirement parties and birthday parties to boot! 

Those were ALL amazing memories being with you and Trudy.  

Yet, it was in the quiet moments, the one-on-one moments, where each and every one of us had with you, that maybe outsiders would consider insignificant, but to all of us was the ultimate gift. Of being with you, dad. That is when the greatest teachings, the compassionate looks and sympathetic understandings, the knowing smiles, the small touches of love and forgiveness. The heartfelt acts of kindness, generosity and the all encompassing moments of Christlike love that were given to us individually. 

You have a way of making us all feel the MOST special. 

 Thank you for raising such awesome boys into great men. I feel like the luckiest girl to have found Ryan. He is, like you, one of the all time GOATS of dads!! 

Love, Christy