A Father's Day Tribute

We could give you a list of dad jokes, share a photo album of all the flashy ties and golf club keychains we’ve bought over the years, or entice you with a long list of sporting advice that we’ve heard our favorite fellas shout from the couch when watching a game. But, the impressions our dads and the father figures in our lives leave on us are so much more than the cliches and stereotypes. Instead, we focus on their steadfast love and wisdom that peppered our lives and made us who we are today. The guidance that has shaped us. 

In honor of Father’s Day, we share with you our stories. Our most cherished memories with the men we call Dad, Daddy, Papa, Pops, and White-Haired Old Man. And we give thanks to the special role they play in our lives and are grateful for the solid advice we are now able to pass on to future generations.

Sherry: My Dad was born and raised in New York City but had family in a small, country town in North Carolina. He loved music and dancing. One summer, in his early twenties, my Dad and his cousins were at a juke joint socializing and living their best life. At the juke joint, my Dad happened to read the name "Soul Dog" on the back of a party goer's t-shirt. He loved the moniker so much that my Dad was determined from that day forward to be known as the "Soul Dog." With limited resources and an abundance of creativity, my Dad would often create impromptu rhymes and songs! Growing up, my 3 siblings and I would beam with adoration as we gathered around my Dad's home concerts. With a broom in hand—pretending it was a banjo—and a country twang, my Dad would bellow out a special song tailor-made for each of his children. Decades later, I still remember my special song. It was called "My Little Sherry Pie," and it went a little something like this: "My little Sherry Pie. She's the apple of my eye. She's the prettiest girl that I've ever seen! My little Sherry Pie, she's the apple of my eye. She is the only girl for me!"

Rachel: I've found I've taken many lessons from my dad but one of the biggest is to dream extremely big. As an entrepreneur and incredible academic, my father has always encouraged me to reach for the sky and build the ladder to get there. I can't even count how many ice cream adventures we've had over the years where my dad would say to me "Okay, what's next...what do you wanna be?" with a twinkle in his eye and a ready spirit to help me make it happen. And, so far, I've seen a lot of my dreams come true and alot more on the way. Happy fathers day Dad, here's to a year full of big dreams and great ice cream.

Alana: My dad, twin sister and I always used to walk to the lake by our house and feed the ducks when we were little. When my dad had our brother (who’s 20 years younger than us), we carried on that tradition. And again when he had our other brother (who’s 25 years younger than us). My dad is the best storyteller I know, and is always a listening ear or advisor when we seek it. Often our walks are filled with stories or reflections. One of the greatest lessons we’ve learned from our dad is the power of a positive mindset and the impact of gratitude and thanksgiving. 

Jillie: I used to ride my bike next to my dad as he ran his 3.2 miles every single day. I couldn't wait until I was big enough to run my first mile next to him. When I was 10, it happened. I couldn't wait to be like my dad. I wanted to be strong, a hard worker, fun, and dream big like he did. It started with that first mile, but it's continued ever since. 

Megan: My dad gave me so much advice growing up, but I think my favorite bit he gave me was in the middle of the night, sitting in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit after he had suffered from a massive heart attack. He was finally coming around and was able to have a popsicle. He cracked the biggest smile and said, "This isn't all bad, they have banana popsicles!" I laughed and cried and laughed some more. He told me later that no matter the situation, look for laughter and ways to make others smile. Smiles are contagious and you never know when someone around you needs a little uplifting. It's been 5 years this month since we lost him and I miss his smile more than anything.

Jamie: My dad taught me the importance of showing up for people you love and how the little things matter most. My favorite memories of my dad are spending Sunday afternoons on our sailboat when I was like 10 years old and then going out to eat hotdogs and milkshakes by the water. He always made me feel like I was the most important person in the world to him when we were together. Actually, he still makes me feel like that today. He's never distracted by work or his phone, he's focused on being present in that moment. He's like that now with my boys, his grandkids, and it gives me something to strive for as a parent because I want my boys to feel about me the way I feel about him. 

Jessica: My dad is a superhero of sorts and he embodies the ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality. My dad is constantly moving and working. He works long 12-15 hour days and still manages to show up and help family and friends. If you catch my dad on his day off, he will probably be on a ladder or fixing something. And for all the work my dad does, he relaxes and plays. He is a world traveler, a frequent cruiser, knows the best spots all around the world to get a beer, he sails, he laughs, and he loves. When I grow up, I wanna be just like my dad. 

Mary: My dad has taught me a lot of practical things over the years -- how to mow the grass, how to save for retirement and how to drive stick shift. He also taught me to take the back roads, to do things right the first time, that being on time is late, how to be a smartass, that everything has a place at home (though to be fair, I struggle with that one), and that regularly getting breakfast together at the local diner is the best way to stay connected with family. 

Erin: When I was about to graduate from college, my dad took me suit shopping to get ready for my upcoming job interviews. It was probably the only time I ever saw him set foot in the mall, but he knew the importance of looking professional and put together. For as long as I can remember, he worked in sales, so I watched him and learned that first impressions were everything. Look good, feel good, and show confidence in who you are and what you have to offer. And always lead with a firm handshake, a habit I have gotten many a positive, albeit surprised, reaction from the person on the receiving end.

Joyce: Among many other lessons, my dad is the person who taught me the transformative power of a walk. I was sixteen and walked in from school in a very bad mood. I don’t know if it was a poor grade, mean girls, or maybe it was about a boy … it was high school so it could have been any one of those things or it could have been nothing. My dad, who has a deep and instinctual understanding of people (especially me) took one look and said “go for a walk, and then we’ll talk.” Taking his advice, I dropped my backpack on the red couch in the den and walked out the door. I returned home two miles later and I vividly remember how my mood had shifted. One very specific memory, but there are so, so many more lessons my dad taught me.

Happy Father’s Day.


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