Up until I was 8 years old my brother and I we were raised by my step-mother and grandmothers, not too many men around. We flew from Pennsylvania to Florida to move in with our new parents. It was truly exciting and we were very scared.
I can remember pulling into our front yard, and there stood my 5 new brothers and sisters. They ran to us, with arms wide open, it was overwhelming but it felt good, it really felt right, I think maybe we finally might be home! Now I finally knew what it felt like to have two parents.
It took a little getting used to having a dad around, I was new at it but I have to admit I adjusted quickly. I felt like I was the luckiest girl on earth, I now have an incredible dad. He was my first love, my daddy!
There is nothing more special than a father and daughter relationship. My poor dad had 3 of us fighting for his attention. That's a lot of stress for one man. Somehow he did it and I have to admit he did a good job.
My dad reminds me of Kris Kristopherson with the charm of Robert Redford and a lot of James Dean. Looks, personality and wisdom. As my father would say, "It's in the Jeans!" (No misspelling there, you have to know my father to understand!)
He was born in a time it was OK to act manly and was not perceived macho, he really taught me the difference between man and woman. You know the way a man should be there for their wife. He treated us girls as ladies and you know the old saying, boys will be boys. In my family, I understood the difference.
Just to give you an idea, this is why I fell in love with him......
Holidays were a special time in our house, especially Christmas, I can remember my father bought my mom 1 present per day for the 12 Days of Christmas, so if it was the 6th day she received 6 presents on the 6th day! I used to think Wow, he is so dreamy, I want to marry a man just like him someday!
I remember our entire family was on the way to the drive in and we got in a car accident, I was amazed how my father handled himself, comforted my mom and us kids. The way he dealt with the police, got enough takeout for everyone and managed to get all of us in bed. That night was really impactful, I new then I loved that man and wanted to make him proud because that night he stood taller than ever and proved to me what was important to him and I couldn't have picked a better man myself!
Throughout my life my father has been there for me and many others, he truly has impacted many people's lives. He coached baseball and football for many years and was involved in various organizations.
Today at 70 he is highly involved in his church and the MS Society. To me he is the perfect role model and without a doubt one of the most influential people in my life.
So Daddy the message to you is I love you. You have made me a better person with the love and support you have always given me.
To me you are a gift and I will forever treasure all the special moments we share from the Cognac at the baseball games to you having me paged at Barnes and Noble.
Some of the most memorable conversations and moments are with you and I hope that never changes.
I love you daddy, you are so brave and still so suave....you are definitely without a doubt my hero, my first love, my daddy!
Midori,
What a blessing! You are so fortunate. Yes, as Anna said, he is a great role model.
Ana-Sneaking on the rain, I have 45 minutes free time...Thank you and my daddy would appreciate it! Yes by all means he is a tough act to follow.
Doreen-Yes I am so lucky! I always have been, I feel my life has been such a great journey, I learned the most from my parents. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Neal-Yes, you were very fortunate to meet him. He is an incredible man, he will always be my first love, just as your daughter will feel the same way too! Thanks for stopping by.
Maggie- I know what you mean, I can sit sometimes and think of my childhood and tears comes to my eyes, I came so close to being put into foster care and every day I am grateful to God for blessing me with the most incredible people I now call my parents.
I always want to honor my parents by their example, you would be amazed in how much I learn from them even now at 44. Thank you my friend for the kind words and for the special phone call. It means lots coming from someone as special as you! Can't wait to meet you.....
Midori, you've left me speechless with this one and a bit teary eyed too. Beautiful tribute to your father, I would like to meet both your parents one day.
That post is so sweet, sis.......
Our Pastor had made a habit of having a "date night" with his girls so they knew what to look for in a man.... he treats them with dignity plus love and is a great parent to them......
I will feature this for the Fathers Day week, sis.....
It is so good that your father showed you the love of God and compassion for the weak and hurting, Midori...I can see how blessed you are for his guidance, wisdom and example....
Again, GREAT post, sis!!
=-)
Alex-Now that is idea, date night, I guess you could say that my dad did the same thing from time to time, I can remember us fibbing to my mom, (she is a smart lady, she knew) we skipped a wedding so we could go to the movies, it was something my dad and I wanted to see. It's those types of memories that I have with my dad. And we still create them. Our favorite outing is Barnes and Noble, after looking at books, he always and I mean always has me paged to the front desk, we pay for the books and go sit and have coffee and some type of pastry. It's those moments that I love so much.
Thank you for the feature, Alex! I really appreciate it. Thanks again for stopping by Alex, it's always a pleasure.
Midori, I didn't realize you had come close to going into foster care. I see little kids around me when I pick up my kids at school and wonder what their lives are like. We should never assume.
I'm eagerly awaiting the end of the month too!
Maggie-Yes, we almost went to foster care, I didn't think it would be a bad thing as a kid but we were told as kids we might be separated that is when the fear came in. I would have grabbed my brother and ran away I think if it would have happened. As little kids I really believed all I had was my brother Albert and I wanted to keep it that way. Thank God it never came to that. I too have often wondered about kids around the world and how their lives were.
Growing up with my parents, everyone and I mean everyone thought we had the coolest parents. Of course we didn't see it until we got older but you know what they are still very cool and warm and loving. My best friend just experienced some quality time with my mom and dad. To me it reminded me how lucky and I am and how special my parents are. She cried when we left and is already planning our next trip.
When it comes to kids, I always try to go out of my way for acts of kindess because the truth is we really don't know what happens in other people's lives. Thanks my friend and for the words of encouragement. I will see your smiling face very soon.
watta nyc daddy! how i wish I have a daddy like your dad. huhu..