I call him “Dad” !!

Other than being married, the greatest joy I have in life is the gift of being a father !!  You’ve seen me write about both of my kids, Melanie (18 and soon heading off to college) and Josh (14 and planning to take over the world).  I’ve even written about my biological father who was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War.  Today, however, I’m writing about my dad.

You see, I hail from the Center of the Universe which is also known as the Village of Ada, Ohio.  This is where my brother and I grew up during our formative Jr. High and Sr. High years and where my parents still reside.  This story starts about one year before we moved to this incredible mecca !!

My mother is in the 1st wing of the “Mothers Hall of Fame” !!  That is not an exaggeration.  ANYONE who has met my mom would say this within minutes of meeting her.  Since I was the “man of the house” since the age of four, I was very protective of my mom and didn’t quite get why she had to meet someone else. Thankfully, I wasn’t really in charge and the good Lord brought Don into my mom’s life.  He seemed cool enough, but I didn’t want him getting “too close” to my mom.

One night after they had been “courting” (that’s what they called it – not me), he came to the room where my brother and I stayed and we had the following conversation:

Don – “Boys, I wanted to talk to you and ask you something.”

Steve – “Sure.  What do you want to tell us?” (I didn’t allow my younger brother to speak because I was – and still am – the firstborn)

Don – “Well, your mom and I have decided to get married.”

(My brother and I were stunned and shocked.  How could she do this?  We didn’t need him !!  He went on . . .)

Don – “Well, boys, I just wanted to ask.  When we’re married, do you want to call me ‘Dad’ or ‘Don’ ??”

(Get ready for it.  Here comes the most calloused response in the history of families !!)

Steve – “We’ll call you ‘Don’ because you will NEVER be our father !!”

(Did I mention that I was an idiot 13 year old punk?)

Don – “That’s fine boys.  Good night.”

He didn’t put up a fight and was incredibly gracious (as he always has been.)  Later that summer in 1976 during the glitz of the Bicentennial, my brother and I stood in polyester suited glory at my mom and Don’s wedding.  We moved to Ada and the rest is history – well, sort of . . .

Don raised my brother Mark and I as if we were his own sons.  He was always fair, structured and showed us amazing things.  He taught us about work ethic, manners, treating women with respect and most of all . . . love mixed with incredible humor !!

The day of my high school graduation, he grabbed me and hugged me and told me he loved me.  He followed that with, “So, when are you moving out?”  Through laughter and tears I embraced him and said, “I love you Dad !!”

He always had been my “Dad” and now I realized it.  He has been nothing but amazing my whole life with him.  He showed me, and continues to show me, the mantra I live by:

Model the behavior you expect in others.

He’s now a grandfather five times over and he comes to most of the grandkids events.  He never missed one event my brother and I were involved in – EVER !!

This week he made sure to let me know that he was retiring at the young age of 70.  I adore my father !!  If I can be half the man he has been for me, then I know that I will have left a grand legacy.

Happy Father’s Day to anyone fortunate enough to be a Father.  Never take it lightly for you are leaving a legacy to each and everyone you touch !!

10 thoughts on “I call him “Dad” !!”

  1. Sweet. Your parents do rock. But we all know wherein lies the true center of the universe. 🙂

  2. Sometimes people don’t realize what they’ve got until it’s too late – you are so blessed to be able to celebrate this with your Dad in the here and now. Thanks for sharing such a great story Steve!

  3. Steve,
    Thank you for sharing your story! As always you made me cry! (good tears) I can bet in a few years you will be reading a blog and one of your wonderful children will be writing the same kind words about you being a great dad and mentor to them!
    Make it a great day!

  4. Thank you Steve,
    You have been very Blessed! I had a wonderful father, but he died when I was eight years old. All positive forces in our lives are Blessings!

  5. Tears in my eyes too! I have met your dad and is a wonderful man! thaks for such a great story!

  6. Steve: It’s almost two years since I lost my Dad. As I was standing in the cemetary at his graveside on Father’s Day, I thanked God for giving me such a wonderful father and for such a long time–he was 84 when he passed away. I feel very sad for those people who aren’t blessed with a wonderful father. Cherish your Dad while you have him. The memories will keep you going through the difficult times. Thanks for a wonderful article.

  7. Steve not just one but two remarkable men in this story. Your Dad for giving you the reality of the story, for being willing to allow a young man to grow in relationship and title. Then there is the man you have become to share your wonderful experience. To recognize what a gift you received and acknowledge your Dad for it.

    Thanks for sharing. Dad I miss you. Thanks for all that you gave.

  8. Steve, I’m a little late catching up on my reading as I’ve been in Barrow, Alaska and they don’t even have 2G in Barrow…phone and Internet connections were a joke! But I’m back in Anchorage and catching up and I just wanted to say I loved this touching post! I, too, was a punk when I was younger and I’m ashamed of most of the stuff that came out of my mouth back then! But, like you, I saw the error of my ways and learned to appreciate the gifts in my life. You are indeed blessed my friend! And thanks for writing about it!

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