Happy Father's Day to my Dad!

My dad has two marks above his left eye.  I've noticed them since I was little, it's a trademark of my dad I will always remember. 

My dad has thick, calloused hands - the proof of his hard work & skill.

He can do anything & fix anything.  Really, anything. 

I have a very special dad.  My dad is the type of guy who goes out of his way to help others all the time.  He was born to serve and volunteer... and it's something he has always held a high priority in his life.

He is a phenomenal dad.  In the past, I have written a few different blogs about my dad... here and here ... if I were to try and write all that I felt, I could just have a never ending blog about him. 

So as we all celebrate our dads today - those who we are lucky enough to still have with us, and those who have passed away - I thought I would share a few of my favorite memories with my dad.

A few months after I was born, my dad would take me up in his little airplane with him.  To this day, it is one of my favorite places to be with him.  I specifically remember being about 4 or 5, sitting next to him aboard the controls, and singing my ABC's.  Because we wore headsets due to the noise, that's how we talked to each other, and I could hear myself when I sang.  All the way to our destinations, I would sing.  And my dad would patiently listen.  My favorite days were the days he would take me out of school for lunch and fly me to a local airport for lunch.  I always knew I had the coolest dad.

When I was in 6th grade, I woke up one morning and realized everyone in the house was awake and alert, and my sisters were crying.  My mom was at the hospital with her brother, because my Aunt Diane had passed away.  It must have been a hard moment for my dad... but I remember standing in the kitchen and my dad gently telling me she had died.  I remember being immediately shocked and upset... and my dad came over and scooped me up into his arms and held me as I cried.  He has a unique way of dealing with his daughters.

I remember being a senior in high school - and coming home from school seeing my dad in the strangest mood.  One of his best friends, Greg, had died in a car accident while out of the state with his wife on vacation.  My dad is very close to their family... especially their 3 grown kids.  So he got airplane tickets for all 4 of them... and flew out there to be with their family.  I am sure my dad was a comfort to them.  He jumps to the rescue of the people he cares about.  Even now, my dad loves Greg's kids.  Our whole family thinks about them on fathers day.

I remember getting ready to walk down the aisle last September on the day of my wedding.  I was overwhelmed with appreciation to have my dad there, by my side for this day.  Many women in this world never have the chance to hold their dads hand during that time... so I cherished every moment with him.  My husband and I are both so lucky for every day, every moment, every memory with him.  I will never take our family for granted.

My dad has watched me grow through the years... but I have also watched him.  I have seen him work the ranks through a fire department and retire with respect, I have seen him water ski, barefoot, drive hay trucks, tractors, fly his airplane, and actively live his life.  I have seen him become a grandpa (one of his favorite things in the world), and I have watched him change the life of many people I know.  He's an amazing guy.  Always giving, loving, sharing, talking.  A strong work ethic.  That's my dad.  And I wouldn't want it any other way.

Happy Father's Day to all dads, especially mine.  I love you so much and a day doesn't go by that I don't appreciate having you in my life.  You have 3 daughters who beam with pride because they have you as a dad.  What a legacy you are.

Happy Father's Day