Father's Day

On my blog I've talked a little about my mom. She and I have always had a (sometimes probably irritatingly) close relationship. I've talked about being a mom. 

But I haven't talked much about my dad or the kind of dad Brian is. And what better time than Father's Day.

I have to say, I came into this world and won the lottery. I just so happened to be born to two loving, supportive, involved parents. And somehow I got one of those dads who can do anything. 

My dad had freshly turned 25 when my brother and I were born. Yep, at 25 my dad was supporting a wife and two children. His degree is in accounting but he got a job as an air traffic controller when they went on strike during the Reagan administration. And it's a job that served him very well and allowed my mom to stay at home and raise us. 

At 25, most people are figuring our what the hell they are doing with their life but my dad was busy taking care of a family. When I look at pictures of my brother and I in our double stroller, my dad looks like a kid - rocking the awesome 80's short shorts and an Afro. 

He has been the ultimate dad from the very beginning. He provided for us all while saving for the future so he could pay for cars, college educations and weddings. 

But outside of work, he made an effort to be there for everything. I have hundreds of childhood memories with my dad. From him taking me fishing with my Mickey Mouse fishing pole to taking me to daddy daughter dances, letting me dance with my feet on top of his. He'd take us boating - and pressure me to be more adventurous by trying the ski bob. I'd cry because I was afraid, and he'd always say, "I'm your dad. I'd never let you do anything dangerous." And I always knew he meant it. 

He coached my soccer team. The guy actually checked out a book from the library on how to coach soccer and built a goal out of PVC piping for our back yard. He built treehouses with trap doors and furniture for my dolls. He taught my Girl Scout troop how to use power tools. 

Everyone thought my dad was a fucking bad ass at career day. He'd have us close our eyes and run around the room bumping into each other - and tell us that's what the sky would be like without air traffic controllers.

He took my siblings and I to minor league baseball games. He did the dad thing where he'd always try to make good time on road trips. And when I got a shitty report card I'd tell him first so he could soften the blow of telling my mom. 

He made the most amazing Halloween costumes you've ever seen. I'm pretty sure the wedge of cheese costume he made me was the best. And when the Packers made the Super Bowl the following year he tied that baby to the roof of my mom's station wagon, and it was the talk of the town. 

I'm not saying my dad is perfect. We had some rough times during my teenage years. Though he still managed to teach me to drive a car... despite the time I drove us off the road at a local country club. 

He'd proofread my resumes. He'd do mock job interviews with me.

And when he gave me away at my wedding, I think he was happy to do so only because I was marrying Brian. Brian told my dad he promised to take good care of me. And my dad said he knew Brian would. 

But sometimes when leaks happen or our cars make funny noises, he still comes to the rescue and takes care of both of us. 

There's supposedly a time in every child's life where they come to the realization that their parents can't do everything. And truthfully, I haven't hit that yet with my dad. He managed to work what is considered the most stressful job in America and always be present for his kids. There's never a problem he can't solve. He's never fallen short with good advice. Whenever something breaks or I'm just not quite sure how something works, I know I can always turn to my dad. 

Hartley carries his name with her always, and hopefully it will help her to be the kind of person he is. A hard worker. A problem solver. A great friend. The person who would give you the shirt off his back. 

And want to hear how I got even luckier in this life? I married someone who is a natural born dad like my dad. 

Ever since I've known Brian he always instinctively taken care of me. Now I watch him do the exact same thing with Hartley. 

He always says, "I love my gals."

And I know he does because he shows us every single day. Changing and feeding Hartley. Taking her for strolls and giving her raspberries. Reading to her and snuggling her. He takes Winnie out every morning before work and every night before bed. He helps me around the house. He tells me every day that I'm beautiful and that he loves me. And he never forgets to say "thank you."

I know I'm beyond blessed. I appreciate that we have a day to celebrate these men so we're reminded just how lucky we are. And I'm glad to know so many men who take pride in their roles as fathers. 

Brian told me recently his number one goal in life to to be the best husband and dad he can be. Well, he's off to one hell of a start! I couldn't be any prouder. 

Happy dad's day!