That's Love

I have always known I have been blessed with a wonderful, supportive family.  Only over the past few years have I realized just how lucky I am.  Not everyone has the support system I have in them.  And for that, I am forever grateful.

This post is all about one of those amazing family members... my dad.

For starters, my dad is the best father imaginable   No I'm not just saying that in case he reads this.  I say it because I truly believe in this statement with all my heart. 

Let's dive into his life story here... he is the oldest of 6 kids.  Grew up on a farm.  Did odd jobs starting as a kid to help the family.  Went to college full time to be a pharmacist.  Paid for it all by himself by working full time on Ford's assembly line.  Had a stint in the Army.  Owned his own business all while maintaining his pharmaceutical license.  Yeah... Bob pretty much kicks ass.

However what I see in him is so much more than his upbringing. What makes me so happy everyday is how he cares for his family.

Dad is always there for us.

For starters, he married my mom and accepted my brothers from the beginning.  Both of them were little when mom and their dad divorced.  And my dad made his dates with mom almost always include Phil and Jay.  In fact, that's one of the things mom said made her realize she loved him.  They were just friends who would go out and do things with the boys, and then it just clicked.  Never has a day gone by when he hasn't acted like more of a father to them than their own dad.

In my lifetime, he has always been there for our dance recitals, taken us to Elizabeth Park for the pony rides, taken us fishing, helped out with math homework, sent care packages of pistachios and Vernor's... but it's not just his actions.  He also has some very poignant words.

During my recent break up before I admitted to my family how bad I had really gotten.  I was on the phone crying to mom about how I didn't want to live in Boston anymore, how I wanted to go home, how I felt so alone.  That's when dad asked her for the phone.  This is all he said with the deepest sincerity in his voice...

"It took me 34 years before I found your mom, and it was completely worth the wait.  Don't feel bad this one didn't work out, because it will one day, and you don't need to rush."

Though his words didn't solve my problems or make my world any better immediately... I always think of him telling me that when I get down.  Everything works out in time.  I will find the love of my life one day, just have to wait for time to match us together like it did for mom and dad.

Another wonderful dad moment...

When I first moved out to Boston and only had time for a part-time job while doing my internship, money was seriously tight!  So bad, I needed my parents to help me get by.  It was a lot to ask for when they didn't want me to leave home in the first place.  On one trip home, I was feeling really down and kept apologizing for being such a "burden" on the both of them.  Dad told me, "You're not a burden.  It's never a burden to help someone you love." 

Boy how this has come in to play so much in my mind recently.  It is a fact though.  When you love someone, you do what you can to make sure they are okay, and offer them any help you can.  I am still waiting for the day that I can return the favor to mom and dad.  And I will definitely have no qualms with it, as I love them both very much.

Now the main reason I wanted to write this is because of a recent conversation I had with dad. 

Dad always calls to check in and see if I need help with anything and make sure I'm okay.  During our last call, dad started to ask if I would be able to get time off for what is now today.  Being less than a week away, I told him no and that I felt uncomfortable asking as I had already taken Marathon Monday off.  Then it clicked, "Dad, why do you want me to take a day off of work?"  It's not like he lives nearby.  According to dad, he wanted to fly me home to surprise mom.  He had bought tickets for them to go see Bob Seger in Detroit, and in light of mom's recent surgery and since I hadn't been home since Christmas, he thought it would be a nice treat to bring me home for the weekend to go see the show with her.  I don't know how many people would go that above and beyond to put a smile on his wife's face. 

Yes, my dad is pretty amazing.  And though I only mentioned a few moments here, there are thousands that have happened.  That's why I wanted to give him the props he deserves.

Dad... 

Thank you for loving us.  

Thank you for always being there when we need you.  

Thank you for knowing how to do the moonwalk and making us laugh.  

Thank you for passing on your smile to me.

Thank you for the hugs.  

Thank you for the support.  

Thank you for marrying mom.  

Thank you for helping me save Indie.  

Thank you for loving us all unconditionally.

Thank you for still calling me Peanut.  

Thank you for showing me that I deserve more and can achieve anything.

I can say one thing without hesitation... 

When I grow up... I hope to marry a man just like my dad.