The Juggler

If you're going to be an investment banker and a dad, you need to know how to juggle.

From the very beginning, Dan prioritized finding a work/home balance, and he was really good at it.

When Courtney was only a few months old, I took a weekly Spanish class to prepare for moving to Argentina. Dan was totally willing to take the baby those nights.

Yes, she was his child and that's what he should do. 

But, learning how to care for a baby is scary, and there were plenty of guys who weren't willing to try. 

But Dan said yes, and because he was willing to learn, he got confident fast and 

soon taking care of her on his own was no big deal.

He worked a lot, but when he was home, he was all-in.

Five years later when his boss said he was spending too much time away from work and Dan needed to choose his family or his career, well, it wasn't even a question. 

His family always came first.

At this part I have to give a shout out to Marty Sr.

Because of the love and support he always showed his son, 

and the example he set of getting back up after all the bumps in the business road,

Dan was never afraid of starting over in his own career. 

His dad had done it, and with him cheering him on, Dan knew he could do it too.

Dan dreams big, is not only smart, but wise, works hard, is willing to take risks and is great with people. 

With those skills and his talent and a great partner (Chad!) they built an amazing new company.

Again, he was on the road a lot, and there were a couple of times when kid vs. mom tensions were brewing high and the home pot about to boil over and I'd say "the boys need their dad this week." 

He'd cancel his trip so he could be home more. Give us all a reset and the reprieve we needed.

We've had many a long walk figuring out kid concerns -- some big, some small, but always important.

We love long walks for problem-solving because they give us lots of time to talk through the issues and discuss potential answers and solutions. 

His hobbies have always involved something he can do with the kids.

Baseball, skiing, boating, racing cars, traveling, Pagosa, eating out, trips with kids' friends, Cowboys' Football, Dodger's Baseball. It's all about the four people he loves the most and who he'd do anything for.

Courtney, Marty, Christopher, Nicholas. And now that number has grown to six with Michael and Lizzie.

And pretty soon seven, with baby girl Shaeffer coming in September.

And I make eight. 

So glad I married the man I did. 

We weren't very old back then, but I just knew he was the best there was.

Happy Father's Day, Dan!