What makes dads so special?
When I was a baby with acid reflux, my dad said it was the sound of the dishwasher as he carried me through the kitchen that calmed me down. Around the time my little sister was born, he and I went to the park often to feed the ducks. He told me I saw a mama duck with her line of ducklings and said to him, “Look! It’s a daddy duck with his baby ducks!”
When my daughter was born, recovery for me was a bit rough. My husband held her while she slept—in between nursing sessions—for most of our two-night stay at the hospital. She bonded with him immediately. She, too, had reflux, and it was Daddy to the rescue most nights. He probably held her more than I did until we got home and I finally regained my strength.
When I was growing up, my grandpa made breakfast every morning on the weekends my siblings and I stayed over. He was awake before everyone else. My grandma always joked about how he was a better cook than she was. He always planned activities, meals and snacks that he knew we loved.
My great-grandpa raised my grandma as a single parent. He taught her to fight, to play catch, to be the tough and sassy girl that she was. She told me so many stories of how he was her favorite human. Some of her greatest attributes she got from her dad.
Fathers play an irreplaceable role in our lives. They have our backs and they love us without conditions. Dads make the world go ’round. Good thing there is an entire day dedicated to the ones we call “Dadda.” Here are just a few reasons why dads are the bee’s knees.
- They take you to pick dandelions at the park.
- They’re best at bear hugs.
- They love adventures.
- They’ll jump into a kiddie pool with you if you’re scared to jump first.
- They’ll go get you a chocolate shake before bedtime if you ask them to.
- They’ll try that first spoonful of Gerber mashed bananas to make sure it’s yummy.
- They know where all the best snacks are.
- They carry you when you run out of energy.
- They count ice cream as one of the main food groups.
- They’ll tell you bedtime stories about princesses with your name.
- They’re fun teachers.
- They’re messy.
- They’re humble.
- They just “get” you.
- They don’t mind if your clothes don’t match every day.
- They love you just the way you are.
- They will scarf down the rest of your dinner plate if you’re too full.
- They’ll accept any bite of food you hand them, no matter how soggy (yuck! But that’s unconditional love!).
- They’re ready to fight the boy who broke your heart.
- They will let you paint their nails every shade of pink.
- They help you with your toughest homework assignment.
- They take you for fun drives.
- They make up silly songs to help you memorize all the names of the U.S. presidents.
- They don’t hold grudges.
- They will turn the car around and drive all the way back to that restaurant to grab your favorite toy you forgot.
- They’ll let you listen to your favorite song 10 times in a row.
- They know all the words to “Let It Go.”
- They’re already planning your first trip to see The Nutcracker ballet.
- They’re magically great at algebra.
- They’ll wash your favorite blanket when it gets muddy.
- They listen to you sing your favorite songs over and over and over again.
- They’ll give you a sip of their Coke.
- They’ll take dance lessons just to be prepared for your father-daughter dance on your wedding day.
- They teach you how to drive and try to stay calm while doing it.
- They will wear coordinating costumes on Halloween.
- They know every Disney movie by heart.
- They whistle the Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood theme song on the way to work.
- They make the best peanut butter sandwiches.
- They won’t tell mMom about the two cupcakes you ate before dinner.
- They will make you a big bowl of cereal and chat about your bad day at school.
- Did I mention they don’t mind if your socks don’t match?
- They know how to not take life so seriously sometimes.
Whether you give your dad tickets to a Royals game, a painted picture or even if you spend the whole day picking dandelions in the backyard together, he will soak it in. He’ll feel so lucky just to be your parent. That’s the best thing about dads.
Emily Morrison is a freelance writer, former copy editor, full-time mommy and Disney fanatic who lives in Independence with her husband, son, daughter and dog