My Dad is Wicked Awesome

Happy Father’s Day to all! I struggled for the past week or so to think of something to get my dad. He’s really hard to shop for. He owns everything. He needs very little. He doesn’t like power tools or anything like that, and I can’t afford to buy him a new, huge computer monitor, which is probably what he would actually want. I finally realized I would just write about him. He loves to read stuff on the internet, and he loves me, so I figure it’s a great gift!

I would like to start out by saying that my dad is awesome. In fact, he’s wicked awesome. Let me tell you why.

I grew up in a male-dominated home. I have 2 older brothers, so I was always outnumbered. Mom and dad did a good job of making sure I didn’t get left out or overlooked (maybe too good of a job – I’m kinda spoiled, but oh well!). I spent a lot of time going to my brothers’ sporting events – soccer games, baseball games, basketball games. I also went to a lot of scout stuff (SO boring!). These activities are fun for a dad, though.

I don’t recall my dad ever missing one of my softball games, which means if he did miss any, it wasn’t very often. He frequently left work early to come watch me play, and girls’ softball games are not really fun for anyone. He played catch with me and helped me improve my skills. If you are familiar with my level of athletic ability, you understand how much patience this took. My dad also endured countless orchestra and chorus concerts, parent/teacher conferences, and Young Women events. I never felt like he supported me less than he supported my brothers.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World states the following:

“Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live…Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity…By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.”

It’s comforting to me that I grew up in a home where these principles were valued. When I was in high school, my mom was working full time and went back to school. She wasn’t around a whole lot, and my brothers were older, so it was just dad and me a lot of times. We would go to dinner on nights when mom had class. I know mom felt guilty for missing time with me, but as it turns out, the time with dad was probably one of the most formative parts of my adolescent life. I learned to talk to my dad about pretty much anything, to trust him, and most importantly to be his friend. Evenings full of identifying classic rock artists on our drives to pizza and burger joints ended up being much more than music and good food.

Looking back, in spending quality time with my dad, I learned how much he valued me as a person. My dad never hesitated to tell me how wonderful I was, that I could accomplish anything and deserved nothing but the best. Because I knew he cared enough to spend so much time with me, I was able to believe him because I understood that he really knew who I was.

I credit my father for much of my success in life. In his partnership with my mother, the other most amazing person I have ever known, I’ve never questioned my self-worth or felt incapable of being successful in my life. My parents taught me not to doubt myself. My dad’s respect and love for my mother modeled the type of relationship I need to seek in my own life. My brothers are both in successful marriages for the same reason. I know to settle for nothing less than someone who values and respects me the way my parents value and respect each other.

As I get older and interact with different people in my life, I learn more and more just how important good parenting is. A lack of positive parental models is so detrimental to people, even as adults. I’m so blessed to have been born into a family like mine. I don’t have to fight against ugly mistakes my parents made that damage the deep sense of belonging and self worth that we all need in order to properly contribute to the world. Thanks, mom and dad, for getting it right.

Dad, it really is like you say: You’ll always be my dad. I’ll always be your daughter, and we’ll always be friends. I love you!