"Memories on the Madison" Happy Father's Day 2016

Matt has always dreamed of fly-fishing the Madison River in MT.  Last year, he got to do just that.  It was an amazing trip and we all loved every minute of it.  He fished the Madison for nine days and what made it even more of a dream come true is that he did so with his little girl.  He enjoyed the blessing of sharing that dream with her and sharing his love of fly-fishing.  
Once home from our trip, I posted pictures and one in particular ended up being a favorite among the three of us.  
This year for Father's Day, Lily Grace and I came up with an idea for a special gift and enlisted the help of friend and artist, Ashley Anthony.  She is so very talented and such a wonderful person.  I have several pieces of hers hanging in our home that I've commissioned, but this one would be a little unique.  I asked her to turn that favorite picture into a painting.  
Months went by as we waited. Boy was it hard for the two of us to keep this secret.  Lily Grace and I nearly burst with excitement when the painting arrived earlier this week.  It is beautiful, sweet and yes, perfectly special in so many ways!!!  We couldn't wait to give  it to Matt.  
Ashley was so sweet.  She names all of her paintings but let Gracie name this one.  Lily named it, "Memories on the Madison."  Gracie also wrote  a letter to Matt telling him why this picture was so special to her and why he was such a special dad.  She attached the letter along with a copy of the original photograph to the back of the painting.  As she told it to Matt, that is so when he is old and can't remember so well, he will have something to go on.  ha!  It truly is quite special.  
Matt was all smiles and has said it is the most special gift he has received.  I hope so.  He gives and blesses us each and every day, not just as a provider, but more importantly as a loving, God fearing dad and husband who would do anything for us. Thank you Matt!  We love you so very much!
After a special mass, we are enjoying the day hanging out.  Matt and Lily Grace have been held up in his office tying and reading about flies for our upcoming return to Montana and the Madison River.  
Thank you loving God for the example of unconditional and fatherly love.  Thank you for the gift of Matt who shares that with us each and every day. 

The original photograph

This beautiful treasured memory now hangs in Matt's home office.

"Memories on the Madison"  Thank you so much Ashley for allowing LG to add that special touch.  Thank you for creating such a wonderful keepsake. 

Happy Father's Day!  While the look is new, (yes, to mine and LG's delight, he is keeping the beard) he is still the same wonderful daddy he has always been!  We are so blessed by him!

These two have spent the afternoon up in Matt's office preparing for our upcoming trip back to the Madison in a few weeks.