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Call me biased, but out of the approximately 70 million fathers in the United States, I think my dad is the best one.
Father's Day is just around the corner and I am all set (this time I didn't wait till the last minute!). But it's more than just a day to give my dad a really nice gift. My mom, dad and myself are very busy people and there often isn't enough time to just sit back and relax. This is one of the reasons that vacations are cherished in my family because they are the few times that we are all together and enjoy one another's company. But, just like our vacations, days like Father's Day are special too because it allows us to take a step back from our hectic lives and be grateful for all that we have. Father's Day in my family is always nice - we start it off by going to church and then spend the day together and make it a very memorable one. In the past we have done some fun things to celebrate Father's Day, like attend a special performance, go for a picnic, a nice hike, or go out for dinner at a fancy restaurant. This year we will be going to a winery where we will enjoy a wine tasting and a nice dinner - I can't wait! I think this is a great idea because I get to spend the day doing something unique and fun with the man of the day! Readers, this is also one way you can make you Father's day a memorable one - do something out of the ordinary that the whole family can come together to enjoy! Spending the day in the zoo, the park, a winery or even using the weekend to go somewhere special will do the trick!
My dad and I after I won the Cute Baby Contest!
This morning, I asked my dad what his fondest memory of being a father was and he said it was the day I was born. When I was born, I was wide awake and had large, almond-shaped eyes. When he held me for the first time, he was in awe and all he could say was "wow". He sat in the hospital room holding me and was thrilled to finally be a father. It was a day he had been looking forward to. When he told me this it really touched my heart because sometimes you really don't think that your parents are so sentimental.
We started reminiscing about memories we had of one another. One of my best memories of my dad is when he took me to American Girl in Chicago, Illinois.
That was a day I will never forget. Ever.
My dad and I walking out of American Girl
I was 10 years old and absolutely loved the Samantha books. The American Girl store had just opened in Chicago and going there came as lovely surprise! It was our last day in Chicago and we were packing and getting ready to leave. I remember my dad saying, "Oh, there is one more thing we should do before we leave." My mother agreed so we left our things in the room, headed to the car and began driving. I had no idea where we were going. We parked on a street and started walking in the heart of downtown, which was crowded with people. We kept walking until suddenly I saw the big sign sticking out above the sidewalk that read American Girl. I gasped and opened my eyes wide, both of my parents looking down at me and smiling. I was so excited I felt like I could fly, and maybe I did, because I honestly don't know how I made it so fast from the crossing, down the street and inside the store. Let me tell you: It. Was. Heaven. At least for my 10 year-old self. And after a while, all the excitement was making me hungry so we went to the cafe for lunch and they gave me a doll to accompany me. For lunch I had the best tea sandwiches ever, because they were made and eaten at American Girl (To me, everything there was the best). The colorful parlor-like atmosphere, the little chairs and tables for the dolls, and the crowd all made the experience spectacular. I ended up spending practically the whole day there and bought an American Girl doll, some clothes for her and some matching clothes for me. I walked out feeling like a million bucks. I drove my parents so crazy that day they were exhausted so we ended up staying for one more night at the hotel, before heading back home.
Another fond memory I have of my father is when he took me to my very first Reds baseball game one summer's day. While I didn't like it at the time, I still enjoyed spending the day with my dad. We didn't stay very long, since my impatience reached its tipping point, but on our way home, we got some ice cream and went to the park for a bit, where I got to swing on the monkey bars, run around like a crazy person and tire myself out. By the time we got home I nearly forgot we had even gone for the baseball game in the first place.
My late grandpa and I in India
So, you see, to me Father's Day is a day that I get to spend with my family going through pictures, telling stories and reminiscing about the past. As I get older, holidays like these are my favorite because they are more focused on family and give me time to spend with them and gather memories to hold on to and one day pass on to my children and my children's children. To you, my readers, I advise you to do the same - don't worry about the materialistic side to the holiday, because we all know that no matter what you decide to get your dad, he will love it because it's from you! Instead, make it a point to spend time recollecting about good times and memories you have of your father. This will not only touch his heart but also let him know that you not only appreciate him but that you never forgot the things he did for you either! But remember to also celebrate the other men in your life, like uncles and grandfathers who had an influence on you! Remember, history is made from memories, so make them count!