Father's Day Musings

This weekend is father's day. I have to admit, for a long time, my dad wasn't really part of my life. We could blame all sorts of people, but at the end of the day, it is what it is.

Fortunately, we were able to turn it around while he is still here, which is something huge to be grateful for. The things I've gone through in the past three years, I never would have got through without him. When everything was really bad, dad would call me every day. If I was having a bad day, he'd call me again. And again.

He wasn't here, but he did everything he could to be here for me. He has been my best friend and closest ally to get me through the hardest part of my entire life.

He always gives good advice and an outside perspective, which is important. But most importantly, he gives unconditional love.

Everything that I love about myself, comes from him. From the way I love people and will run myself to the ground trying to help them, to the really pretty blue eyes that are probably my best feature.

He's a terrible dancer. Just saying. :)

This probably sounds ridiculous, but I loved it when my dad used to smoke. He'd go out on the patio to have a cigar in the evening and everytime I was home, I'd go out with him and we'd talk, really talk about everything and anything. To this day, I love the smell of cigars...

Dad bought me my first car. He walked me down the aisle at my wedding. He's been there through good times and bad. We got food poisoning together once and spent an entire day throwing up in my bathroom. Good times :)

He has been someone I could look up to and respect, through the way he ran his business to the way he truly loves his wife. (And he does.)

But Father's Day means more to me this year than it ever did before. As much as I love my dad, other people have come into my life who deserve a shout out at the very least.

Stuart - I know he's not my dad. And he's not even my boss anymore. But god, I miss him! I'm pretty sure we overstepped some boundaries in that relationship, but I can't possibly think about father's day without thinking of him.

And Ron. Usually, your ex-boyfriends parents don't really factor into your life much once you've moved on, but Ron has been an important ally to me, a friend, and the kind of person you know you can go to for advice, a nice bbq dinner or a hug. He invited me into his family no questions asked and it's been one of the best things that have happened to me since getting kicked out of my old community.

At the end of the day, I feel extremely lucky. This Father's Day, tell the men in your life how important they are. Make them dinner, send them a card, let them know that everything they do makes a difference.

Daddy, I love you.