It took a long time for me to find someone whose opinion I valued as much as my Dad's. My father is my rock. He's the man who influenced my taste in music by playing Aerosmith and Pink Floyd for me to sleep to. He taught me that you can make the police's song "Roxanne" about almost anyone and would walk around the house singing "Meg- ANN" as loud as he could (took me years to figure out my name was being plugged into a song about a hooker. Nice Dad!). He coached my soccer team from the time I was 11 til I was in college and completely understood that you had to give the girls "talk time" during warm ups or they'd get nothing done during practice. He understood better than anyone that sometimes I just needed "me time" and would always give it to me. He took me on numerous college soccer scouting trips, danced with me at Father-Daughter dances, went on Girl Scout camping trips with me even though they weren't quite his thing, and always took me to work with him on "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" which was always my favorite part of my school year.
My Dad is an officer in the Air Force so there were times he was gone for days, even months on end, but he never stopped thinking about us. He wrote letters detailing his days and even the weather so we could feel like we were with him. He'd call numerous times a day just to tell us something he couldn't wait for us to hear.
I got my love of running from my Dad, my need for quiet from my Dad, and my lack of patience from my Dad. That one he can actually have back! When I broke up with my high school boyfriend that my whole family loved, my Dad was on my side and whispered in my ear "I never liked that kid anyway". Thanks Dad. =) Before he walked me down the aisle he told me how beautiful I looked and how much he loved me, but also Mr. Perfect. Then he gave me a pocket knife to put in my bouquet, because everyone needs a pocket knife, and you know, just in case! So my Dad!!
There's nothing on this planet like the relationship of a father and his daughter. Nothing. So thank you Dad for giving me the best relationship we could have. For letting me cry to you about "stupid boys", for tearing up when you saw me in my prom dress, for needing a stiff drink to make it through my wedding day, and for always forgiving me when I pushed you like only I can do. Thanks for being my support, my best friend, and most importantly, the picture of what I deserved in my future husband. Thanks for being the love of my life til you handed me to my next one. Just thanks...
I can't wait for Mr. Perfect to experience this relationship.. He's going to make a great Dad someday.
.JPG)
