I’ve been going back and forth on if I wanted to do a Father’s day blog post this year. As many of you know, my dad passed away August 10th of 2017. He was my #1 ever since I can remember. My parents divorced when I was 10 years old. When they divorced, I had the option of living with either parent. My dad stayed in the town I had grown up in, where my school was, where all of my friends were. So, I stayed with him.
Good fathers are there for their kids no matter what. They provide everything they need and (most) things they want. My dad was a simplistic man and extremely hard working! He was happy to have food on the table and a roof over his head. He didn’t need a lot.
I want to share one of my most heartbreaking/warming memories I have with dad.
When I was little, my dad owned his own airfreight business. We were pulling in over 6 figures a year living in Nebraska. Which basically meant, we were loaded. (Holy crap do I miss the midwest prices) Until the economy took a plunge for the worst and he couldn’t keep it afloat as hard as he tried. My dad suffered from depression so after losing his business, he had a hard time. For about a year. Then he picked himself up and got a fine, blue-collar job working for a local delivery company. Dad was the type of person that made friends with everyone, everywhere he went. I remember him coming home from work with cartons of fresh eggs and bags full of fresh produce that one of the homes he delivered to had given him. He had the warmest, most light-hearted soul and made everyone feel like they were good enough.
*pass the tissues*
As you can imagine, going from six figures to a blue-collar salary wasn’t easy. We lost our house and had to cut back on expenses big time. The first Christmas we had after all of this had happened, was a very tight one. Dad didn’t have any money to spend on presents so he got me a bunch of different hair things. A pink brush, ponytails, hair clips, bedazzled bobby pins, hairspray etc. He wrapped the box up real pretty and put a bow on it. I was 11 at the time, I think. Maybe 12. When I opened it, he started crying and said, “I’m sorry I can’t give more this year honey. It’s really tight right now.” I smiled and said, “No dad this is perfect! I’ve been needing more hair stuff so this is perfect.” I will forever remember this Christmas as one of my best Christmas’.
Dad always put me first. He always provided what I needed and supported me whole-heartedly. And if that’s not a reason to celebrate Father’s Day, then I don’t know what is. I will be listening to dad’s favorite music, drinking dad’s favorite drink (vodka and squirt. I know, a little weird.) and looking at pictures remembering my #1 man.
I know all the other bloggers are doing gift guides for Father’s Day. I don’t think I can. It doesn’t feel right. Instead, I’d like you to share your favorite memory with your dad with me through Instagram DM’s or by commenting below.
Lots of love,
Tessa
xox
