Happy Father's Day.

Yesterday was Father’s Day and because I wrote a Mother’s Day entry, I feel I should write a Father’s Day entry as well – both are equally important to me. My “real” father, the guy who gave me life, doesn’t exist to me anymore. We refer to him only as Frank the Sperm Bank because the only important thing about him was that his little spermies made my siblings and me. My real dad, who I call Steve (and dad when I really want to earn some brownie points ;)) deserves to be written about and probably deserves an award.

I was five when my mother and Steve began dating and decided to bring our Brady Bunch of a family together, and we were NOT happy about it. He has three children of his own, three boys might I add and took on the four of us, three girls and a boy (we’re not easy and quiet kids either). Let’s just say, we brought a little liveliness to Steve’s normal, much quieter life that consisted of Village Pizza and a recliner.  He supported us, he tried to discipline us and he helped us become the adults we are today – he didn’t do a bad job either.

Dear Steve (dad),

You have taught me the importance of hard work and that I can do anything I put my mind to.

You are the reason I was the basketball player and athlete I became, making me practice shooting in our driveway and signing me up for AAU at the age of 13.

You drove me around New England to my basketball tournaments.

You cried with me when I tore my first ACL.

You made sure to tell my mom when you thought my skirts and shorts were too short.

You gave every boyfriend I ever had the stink eye because nobody was good enough for your girls.

You learned to leave the room when all four women were sobbing watching Beaches or when we were all PMS’ing at the same time.

You calmed us down when we were being crazy and screaming at one another.

You learned to be funny and would repeat a joke until it was not funny anymore.

You forgave me when I told you that weren’t my “real” dad and accepted my apology when I came in crying and telling you I didn’t mean it.

You set curfews when we were in High School but let us drink occasionally when I was 17 on your Business trips or at family parties.

You tried to ground me for finding alcohol under my bed. Keyword is tried.

I have traveled to Paris, Germany, California, Washington, Florida, St. Thomas, St. John and South Carolina because of you.

We experienced 5-Star Hotels and became incredibly spoiled because we continued to want chocolate covered strawberries on our beds when we arrived at a hotel.

You learned the importance of shoes and that they require an extra suitcase and a bigger car because we’d have too much luggage.

You bought me my first Mac computer that helped me become a Graphic Designer.

You married my mom finally after 17 years and had the best wedding day ever.

You let me know that I can move home whenever I want.

You taught me the importance of saving my money.

You taught me how to golf and are my favorite golfing partner.

You are a huge part of why I am the person I am today.

Thank you Steve for being the patient, kind, giving and loving dad you have been for 20 years. You are so supportive of all of us and we couldn’t ask for a better father. Happy Father’s Day. I love you.