For My Father on Father's Day - I love you Dad

I’m a daddy’s girl. I always have been. When I was a child I remember going to the beach with my father when I was 3 and 4 years old. He had the Porche, and we would strap the surf board on the car (we had some sort of custom mount) and take off for the beach, just he and I. We would drive from Campbell over the mountain into Santa Cruz, taking a special back road, that didn’t have any of those pesky state troopers so we could speed, and hug the turns, and practice our race car driving. He would always make sure to look over at me with a smile, and say something like “Hang on” or “We don’t need to tell mom, about this” When we would arrive at the cove – He would grab his board, and head out to surf for several hours, while I would play on the beach, make friends with strangers, and happily build sand castles and swim with my new friends. (I know, that sounds slightly dangerous, but it was a completely different time then, and I was a very precocious child – so I assume, they thought if someone kidnapped me, they would return me straight away) After the good waves were done for the day, we would hop back in the Porche, and make our way to the candy shop where there were wonderful white chocolate drops, or the grocery store, that always had grape or orange soda, and then a sun kissed and sleepy drive home over the mountain.

At this same age- my mother must have been busy with church work, or taking a class at the local college, but there was at least one night a week, were dad and I were left on our own. This night was my favorite – I was definitely going to stay up and extra hour or so, and get to sit by my father and watch Rockford files, and then when he did put me to bed, he would get out his guitar and sing me to sleep. Song’s from Peter, Paul, and Mary, The Kingston Trio, or John Denver, taught me about Tom Dooley, The MTA, and my most favorite Leaving on a Jet plane. I love acoustic guitar because of my father, and feel like my heart is going to burst wide open every time I hear him play, especially when Keaton joins him as well.

My father……

- Is Cooler then Fonzie and Stronger then Superman.
- Tells wonderful and engaging stories
- Always took me on daddy daughter trips for my birthday
- Bought me the Xanadu soundtrack for my 12th birthday
- Taught me to sail, and always acted like he could not do it without me.
- Filled my car with gas, washed it, pre-set my stations to the cool ones, came and saved me when it broke down, and always let me go ahead and take his car where I needed to go.
- Taught me about rewards programs, I am a second generation Delta, Hertz and Marriott girl.
- Is handsome, my girlfriends in high school used to say – “no offense Jenn, but I would totally date your dad, he’s hot!”
- Brags about me, to anyone who will listen, it always makes me smile and fills my heart when I hear other people talk about the lovely things my father says.
- Is always up for an adventure.
- Is comfortable in any setting
- Makes friends instantly
- Loves food, and will tell you about a trip simply by describing the incredible restaurants, and amazing meals he ate.
- Had an infectious smile and a laugh that draws you in
- Loves my mother, and treats her with complete respect, and is her best friend
- Is a wonderful grandfather, and has captured the hearts of my children
- Is fun!!
- Moved me to Florida across the country, and walked my down the isle – Twice!!
- Loves my children, and they feel it all the way to their toes.
- Takes Keaton on a special trip to the car show in Carmel every year – it is a special thing they have done for years.
- Always has a sports car, and lets me take it when I need to make an impression.
- Is completely loved and respected by my husband
- Is a wonderful father
- Is my hero!

Having a baby as a single woman at 20 years old is scary, incredibly scary. I had been acting brave, and shrugging off the doubts of all that knew me for my whole pregnancy. But when the moment arrived the whole, ”I am really going to have this baby”, nearly made me want to turn around and go home – as if, if I could just get out of the hospital, the pain would stop, and we could forget this whole thing. Keaton was a very large baby weighing in at 9 pounds, 2 ounces. I, having never been through this experience, thought that this was normal. He also had a good sized head but massive shoulders. After 2 and ½ hours of pushing, no pain meds, and the help of forceps I had finally managed to get his head out, but then the really frightening part happened. I could not get his shoulders out to save my life. Everything got a little tense then. My mother, who had been by my side helping me through, got pale and concerned and eventually had to leave the room. My nurse with furrowed brows was talking very sternly at me now, and telling me this is when it counted, my doctors barking orders and telling me to push. I was seriously starting to lose it, thinking “I should be dead by now, no really, I can’t believe I am still alive, this isn’t fair” – and then there was my dad – holding my leg, right in my face, the coach – “Jennifer (my whole name) listen to me, you can do this, concentrate”(He said this very firmly, and with urgency) and I found my way back through the fog of pain – and tried some more –my motivation was I didn’t want to disappoint my dad – I had long ago forgotten why this was happening to me, oh yes – I am dying because I am having a baby. And after what felt like forever, but was really 3-4 minutes – I finally pushed Keaton’s massive shoulders out.

And with that – Keaton made his big debut into this world. The doctor and nurses worked on him for several minutes and then placed him on chest. We just looked at each other maybe for 30 seconds – and then he was whisked off my chest, and handed to my father – It was a bond that was immediate, and lasting – and in that moment he not was just my dad, he was the proud grandfather of a strapping baby boy. That strapping boy is all grown up now, getting married, and the most wonderful thing is happening – My dad is going to marry Keaton and Kirsten, on the beach, and the circle of love continues.

I love you dad, I love you all the way around the world and back. You are the reason, I am brave, and will try new things, you are the best father that any kid could ever want, and I feel incredibly lucky that of all the dads in the world – I won the lottery, and I got you!!!! Happy Father’s Day!!