From Foothills to Fog: Happy Fathers Day! I Love You Dad!

The other day I was reading Links I Love on Cupcakes and Cashmere and loved this sweet blog post written by a Dad. I really enjoyed reading it and I wanted to share it with you in honor of Fathers Day today. I am so lucky to have an amazing Dad. He is encouraging, loving, and supportive. I’m so happy I was able to spend some time with him this weekend to celebrate Fathers Day.

I’ve listed the 50 Rules from the original post below and shared a pictures and memories with a few of them.

Happy Fathers Day, Dad! I love you very much. Thank you for always being supportive and loving. I’m so lucky to have you as a Dad.

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1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.

One of the best things about my parents is their obvious love for one another. They've been married for almost 41 years, and have continually been the ideal role model for marriage and how to love your partner. I can only hope someday I have a marriage as strong as theirs.

Over 40 Years Together

2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.

This was the great thing about my Dad, we were always spending time together. He read to us every night before bed, asked us about our day as we sat around the dinner table, and took us camping and exploring every chance he got.

3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.

He's always been there for me. Even after I moved away to college, and now living in San Francisco, I know he is just a phone call away. Even at 28 I call him for advice about every big decision and strive to make him proud with everything I do.

4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.

I still think you're the bees knees.

5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.

6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.

We always preferred to throw a nerf football instead :)

7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.

He ALWAYS chose Mom's side. And that's ok. It used to bother me back then, but looking back, I see that it goes hand in hand with #1 on this list. And I'm guessing my Mom was probably right anyway.

8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.

I got opals instead, since I'm an October baby. And I like them better anyway.

9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.

I'm sure there were a lot of peek-a-boo games I just can't remember.

10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.

11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”

I didn't get a yes on that one. But anytime I see a golden retriever I think of my Dad. It's a our special 'thing' from the song, Father Daughter by Paul Simon.

12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.

Dad is always the one I go to when I need advice about money. You can bet I haven't always made the best decisions. But I'll never forget the paper he gave me before heading off to college with a breakdown of interest payments on credit cards. Scary. I keep that in mind every time I reach for a credit card, "do I really need this?"

13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.

Eggs were always Dad's specialty for breakfast (and still are)! And on birthday's, he'd blast They Say It's Your Birthday, by the Beatles or some Ab Lincoln birthday song that I can't remember for the life of me, sorry Dad!

14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.

I don't think they had baby chucks back then. But I remember when I bought my first pair, my Dad thought they were SO cool and told me how he used to work out in them :)

15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.

I danced on your toes in the kitchen when I was a little girl. And again at Val's wedding a few years ago. Both are some of my favorite memories.

16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.

I had so much fun fishing with you when we went backpacking. It was the trip when I burned my foot, so we stayed back at the lake while Mom and Christine went for a hike. We were lucky that day, and caught at least 8 I think. I clearly remember you teaching me how to clean it, I was both grossed out and totally intrigued.

17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.

I'm sure there were a lot of times you said "no" but actually, I can't think of a specific time. Probably because I realized it was for the best, except for maybe the dog thing (question #11).

18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.

You always made me feel loved and beautiful. More than anyone else in my life.

19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.

You taught me how to change a flat on my Camry in the garage. Luckily I haven't had to call you crying yet!

20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.

You hit this one out of the ballpark. I am so blessed to have spent so much time camping and traveling with you growing up. I've seen more backcountry than most get to see in their lifetime. Because of this, I share your love of the great outdoors and our environment. Thank you for taking the time to teach me how important it is to get out and enjoy nature.

21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.

I remember doing this on the way home from Grams house in the Vanagon, I don't know if I just sat on your lap or actually got to "steer" but it's a happy memory just the same. And I'll never forget when you first took me out to drive before I had my permit. We went to the high school and drove in circles through the parking lot. I think of you every time I drive over a speed bump to fast, and when I "totally pause" at the stop sign on Sunnyside.

22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.

I've always been able to keep up with the boys, and I'm not afraid to get dirty!

23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.

24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.

I don't think I've ever seen YOU eat a sunflower seed. Unless it was in some type of trail mix or gorp.

25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.

26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.

That was the best part about the new addition, besides painting a mural on the wall before they knocked it down :) I could spin in circles for hours and slide around in my socks. And we can't forget when Christine, Lauren and I did the Macarena.

27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.

28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.

It was always so exciting to greet you when you got home. I remember running out to meet you in the garage or at the front door when you would get home from work.

29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.

30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.

31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.

32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.

33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.

34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.

35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.

36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.

37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.

38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.

39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.

40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.

41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.

42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.

43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.

44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.

You always write the best cards. I always knew this to be true, but when I did the anniversary gift for you and mom last year, a few people mentioned that in their letters. I realized how lucky I was that you're my parents, and not everyone gets sweet cards like I do.

45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.

I'm sure this was a challenge during my high school years. Thanks for sticking with me :)

46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.

47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

I remember very clearly one morning when you were driving to school, I was MAD. I don't remember what about, but I remember you wanting to talk about things on the drive. I said, "I'm not ready to talk about it yet." And you said, "That's okay. We can talk about it later." I remember feeling really thankful that you were able to give me space so I could cool down, and collect my thoughts.

48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.

Ice cream and frozen yogurt used to be a frequent treat. (Unless I went to the wrong day care and missed our frozen yogurt date)! We'd both usually get rainbow sherbet if it was at Baskin Robbins, you with a waffle cone, me with a cake cone. But I think the real favorite for both of us is chocolate and vanilla swirl soft serve after a long hike in Tuolumne Meadows.

49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.

50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.

Be sure to check out Michael's original post here.