I really love my dad. I am one of those daddy's girls. I was the oldest girl, the firstborn. And a tomboy. I was my dad's boy, until I got replaced by a real one when I was 10. :P haha.! I spent my time hanging out with my dad in the yard, helping him rake up the grass after he cut it, or clean the deck furniture. I went fishing with him.
My dad is the best. And I can say that because he is. Who else has a dad who, when I was in university, would drive and pick me up from the bar because I had no place to stay/had to be home in the morning/it was too far for a cab. He would drop me off with my friends, and stay up until 2 in the morning to come pick us up. Just so we would get home safe.
My dad, when I was in teacher's college, would send me little packages with grocery cards, gas cards, blockbuster cards and Tim Horton's cards.
He met me half way between our cities when Stephan moved here, and drove me to the airport to pick him up. All so I could surprise Stephan. And he did it again when Stephan was home in Germany this past Christmas; he picked him up at the airport and drove him almost halfway home to meet me.
When my laptop died, I mailed it down to him and he fixed it for $100 when Staples was going to do it for $800. And he also managed to save all my files and pictures when Staples couldn't. He spent hours doing it. And then drove it half-way home to drop it back off to me, complete with a newer, bigger and faster hard-drive.
He helped me pick out my first car. When I had my wisdom teeth taken out, which I put off for 2 years because I was terrified, he drove me home and made me comfortable. He made me a bed on the couch, gave me HIS pillow, and some blankets, put in a movie I liked, made me some Alpha-getti and gave me his LAST CAN of PEPSI.
My dad put up with my horse-craziness when I was kid...he still does. He paid for my riding lessons, and my piano and oboe lessons. He also puts up with my Habs obsession. He mailed me my jersey, which I left at home the weekend before (because I was coming home the next weekend too), because Ken Dryden was going to in my city. He express mailed it to me for the next day so I would have my jersey to get autographed. And all because he knew it was important to me.
He pretty much paid for my oboe, because it costs more than my tuition did, and all the reed supplies and equipment I needed throughout university. He never missed one Wind Ensemble Concert. He was always very involved in my musical life. In fact, my dad is a big reason why I went into music. I wasn't going to, I wanted to do something with animals. But my dad pulled me aside and told me that maybe I should consider music. And I did. I wouldn't have considered it otherwise, I don't think. I changed my career choice to music last minute, and came back for my OAC year of highschool to get the needed courses for university, and prep for my audition.
My dad is really one of my bestfriends. I call him everyday, even if its just to say hello. He has a say in the important details of my life, such as Stephan (my dad had to approve!) and me moving out to Calgary. I couldn't have moved if I hadn't known my dad was ok with me moving across the country. I talked to him even about boys. My last boyfriend before Stephan was not a healthy relationship, and I struggled with the decision to end it. My dad had a lot of helpful advise. And he gave me the typical dad advise, as well as the neutral, third-person advise. I love my dad's advise. Its good, sound, smart advise from all sides of the situation. And I need it.
And when something good or exiting happens, he's the first one I want to call. In fact, I have to call him pretty much immediately. Because he's one of the most important people in my life.
I'm glad I have my dad, and that he's the dad he is. I wouldn't change him for a thing.
So Happy Father's day Dad! I love you, and I miss you all the time! I can't wait to see you this summer. And, I'm sure I'll talk to you tomorrow! :P
At my Mom's surprise 50th birthday party
Allison and my Dad, because I don't have any old pictures from when I was young with me here in Calgary.So here's one of the two of them, hard at work colouring.
Jess....ica (added for Uncle Doug who I'm sure will be reading this :oP) that is such a beautiful post and tribute to your father.
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