Daddy's girl

Happy it's-not-late-I-just-forgot-to-write-it-and-post-it-on Father's Day!

So, was totally gonna write this before Father's Day, but, well, I have no excuse. I mean at least not a real one. I already told you how amazing my mom is, so here's how equally awesome my dad is.

I don't even know where to start except to say that every daughter deserves a father like I have. I've never seen him argue with my mother, but I have seen him tell her she's beautiful. Little girls need an example of a loving husband and involved father early and constantly. Otherwise, how will girls know what to look for when they become women? I have an amazing marriage--11 years in August. I knew what to look for.

He was and is a very involved father, and now a very involved grandfather. (I know, my mom does look MUCH too young to be a grandmother...) I remember him coaching all my sports teams growing up. My friends remember him, too. Looking back I can see it was a blessing to have him so involved... but when I was the only one running suicides in the gym while everyone else played three on two, well, it seemed like less than a blessing...

When I started playing high school softball, I vividly remember seeing him walk down the gravel hill to the field, still in his suit. These were 4:00 games, most parents weren't even there. Mine were.

Academics were important to my parents. I remember my dad sitting at the kitchen table with me, explaining math. To me. Seriously, he should have won an award just for sitting near me while a math book was open. College was never an option--we were going. I can't ever remember being asked if I was going or wanted to go to college. I do remember discussing where I'd like to go. (In 5th grade I wanted to go to UNC to be a cheerleader.)

Dad took us to State College to see his Alma mater play football. I remember the cold on my face as I listened to the fight song. I remember eating chocolate ice cream cones as big as my head from the small, original creamery. I remember him always getting me the same small lion stuffed animal. He is adorable. And I should know--I have eighty of them. Last time Dad and I went to a game, I got another one. For my daughter. 

A few years later, when I wanted to write, he had connections and more support than I ever could have dreamed of.  Now, four years later, I have three published books. I've even won a few awards. Probably largely due to his editing. And more editing when I changed one word. And even more editing when I moved an illustration. He's always been there, no matter what ridiculous request I have.

I hate writing stuff like this, because I don't feel like I've done him justice. There's no way to say "He's the perfect father" and NOT sound like a generic Hallmark card. But, seriously, he is. At least for me, I mean, there was that one time in State College... but that's another story, and fortunately, didn't involve me. Probably because I'm his favorite.