by Michelle Burkhardt

Created on: June 20, 2009

My Quad Fathers

Many of us hear stories of quadruple babies being born in our local hospital. The media jumps on the wagon to interview the new mom, who is still smiling because she hasn't been home alone with her screaming bambinos yet. Then, the camera pans over to the poor, dumbfounded father; who forgets how to blink because he is trying to figure out how to pay for future college expenses. Plus, if he has all girls he might as well declare bankruptcy now due to the fact that one wedding alone can put him in the poor house. Having mutiple babies is unusual, but what about having several dads? Celebrating Father's Day is unique for me because I have a set of quad fathers!

I was brought into this world like most children, the way God intended, with one father and one mother. My parents were a young couple with ideals hopes and dreams for the future. Sadly, the two could not get past the fact that a real marriage is not a fairy tale and separated after 5 years.

Being a single mom in the 1960's was not ideal; therefore, my mom wanted to find a new daddy for her two precious girls. That is when she met and married my adopted-father after only knowing him for two months. After the ceremony they got to know each other better and realized they were far from compatible. For all you folks out there with young, naive daughters: Lesson #1- Do not let her marry anyone after knowing him for only two months. I will not even let my children play over at a friend's house unless I've known them at least 2 months. Sorrowfully, this marriage did not make it either.

There is a saying, "Third times a charm," and that is when my mother met bachelor #3, a mild-manner, sweet Canadian. . Since, my mom had learned all the lessons necessary to hold a marriage together; they decided it was time to marry after only being together for a mere 20 years. The private ceremony was held on the spectacular, romantic island of Hawaii. Holding on to the saying, "Three strikes and your out," my mother is done walking down the aisle.

The last Father in my life is also your Father. No, my mother did not marry your father. Our Heavenly Father is the great "I AM", the Creator of Heaven and Earth, He knew us before we were born to our earthly parents. The Giver of life declares we are His children. People may come and go but our Lord says, "Never will I leave you: never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5; "The Quest Study Bible", NIV) My other dads are human and made several mistakes, but it was God that helped me over-come those hurts.

I have learned to think of my smorgasbord-of-fathers to be a blessing; they have all played a unique role in my life. My biological father taught me the true meaning of responsibility, my adopted dad helped me to understand true forgiveness, and my step-father showed me the qualities I wanted in my own husband. Thankfully, my Heavenly Father guides me every day to draw closer to Him. I know that the Lord always has a purpose for the circumstances that occur in my life. With tomorrow being Father's Day, I will have the pleasure of saying, "Happy Father's Day" four times.

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