Five Things My Dad Taught Me
My dad and I are very similar. We both are particular, we both sweat the small stuff (even when we both know we shouldn't -- thanks mom), and we both are pretty stubborn. But also we both are fiercely loyal and we both love hard. So in honor of Father's Day this Sunday, I wanted to share five things my dad, the man I have so much in common with, taught me.
The importance of taking care of your stuff
My dad has always taken great care of his stuff - tools, clothes, furniture, etc. Everything always had its place and always gets put back in its place cleaned and ready for the next time you need it. Call it OCD or Type A, but this characteristic of his helped shape how I value you what I spend my money on and how I go about making sure they last by taking the time to care for them. Growing up we picked up our things, put them away in the right places and learned to make the things we have last. As a 12-year-old, I might have rolled my eyes one too many times at this chore, but present-day me truly values when the house is picked up, everything is in its place and is ready and where I need it to be the next time I use it.
To maintain your car and tires
My dad grew up in the car business. He started sweeping floors at the age of 14 and retired as a General Manager at the same dealership. Similar to taking care of your things, my dad always puts an emphasis on staying on top of maintaining your car. Before long road trips, you check your tire pressure. Get your oil changed no more than 500 miles over. When you get your oil changed, check your fluids and get your tires rotated. Get your car washed regularly especially in the winter to make sure the salt doesn't erode your car. They are all things you know you need to do or should do, but can tend to put off for longer than you intend to if you don't create the habit.
Gender roles don't have to dictate how you live your life
Not many people know this, but when I was born my mom wasn't able to leave the hospital right away. So my dad took a newborn baby home by himself. For the first couple weeks of my life, my dad fulfilled both parental roles. I bonded with my dad the same way most newborns do with their mothers. After my mom was released from the hospital she would try to console me when I would cry, but it was my dad who would ultimately be able to soothe me. While I might not have realized this as a week old baby, I feel this has shaped how I view gender roles and what qualities I looked for in a partner. Not to mention this created a very special bond between us.
Always support your family and their dreams
My dad worked very hard to ensure my siblings and I could achieve our dreams. He gave so much of himself and his time to help us earn the degree, join the team or organization, compete in our sport, and see the world. This lesson is incredibly valuable to me now in my own marriage where Brian and I are each making sacrifices to help each other accomplish their dreams.
Farts are hilarious (get over yourself everyone does it)
Growing up, my dad would have me and my siblings rolling on the floor from laughing at his pull my finger jokes. Bodily functions were a regular source of laughter in our house. And to this day, I can get pretty tickled if someone passes gas. It has nothing to do with the person who passed the gas, but just the noise was always funny to us. I have to give credit to my dad because without this being his go-to joke in our house, I might not have thought they were as funny as I think they are and mine and Brian's meet-cute would never have happened the way it did.
Happy soon-to-be Father's Day out there to all the dads, step-dads, father figures, soon-to-be dads, etc. What have you learned from your dad?
xx,
Linds
