Dad

Today is the only day I have ever felt a need to write about something on my blog that is completely personal and in no way related to fashion or anything that my blog is normally about.

One of the things I luckily inherited from my dad was his love and ability to write.  Normally, words flow from my fingertips much easier than they do from my lips.  This is one time, however, where I find it hard to express what I want to say with words, even in the written form. 

It’s hard to know what memories I should share of my dad, because the truth is, every memory of my dad is special.  This is because my dad was an incredibly special dad.  They say that every girl wants to marry a boy who reminds her of her dad.  It shouldn’t be much of a surprise then, that I am still single. The selflessness of my dad was something I probably took for granted when I was younger.  But the older I got, the more I realized how rare of a quality this was.  Taking care of my family and I was always priority number one.  When I graduated from college, my dad bought me a brand new Lexus, while he was still driving an old Suburban.  The reason was not necessarily to spoil me (although he liked to do that as well) the real reason was to make sure I was driving a safe car. 

Our safety was always of great importance to my dad.  It’s the reason why he made sure I always had a flashlight next to my bed.  It’s why he would always inspect my car before I drove back to Austin.  It’s why he insisted we watch the opening scene of the movie Disturbia, to make sure we would drive safely and not tailgate other cars.

But while my dad was a parent who was protective, he was also a great friend.  My dad was the type of dad who would tickle my feet the second I sat down next to him on the couch.  A dad who would aid in my friends’ slumber party wars by always being our getaway driver, and even helped us throw water balloons at our rivals.  The other kids didn’t stand a chance against us, because we had my dad on our team.  I was always laughing when my dad was around.  And whether I was laughing with him or laughing at him, he didn’t care.  As long as I was laughing my Dad was happy.  Whatever made me happy, is what made Dad happy.

As unlucky as I feel right now to have my dad taken away from me at a time much too soon, I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world because I am able to call the most amazing man I have ever known my Dad.

  

I have no regrets when it comes to my dad.  He knew I loved him, I know he loved me.  Every time I left my dad I hugged him and told him I loved him.  I just never knew that last hug would be my last.  Everyone please be grateful for the people you still have in your life.  Make sure you tell them you love them today, and every day.

Dad- I will always love you, never forget you, I will try and be as selfless as you, and I will always keep a flashlight next to my bed.

Joanna