One Fine Day

The arms I long for, will open wide

And you'll be proud to have me, right by your side

One fine day, you're gonna want me for your girl

                              -The Chiffons

Today, being Father's Day, I wanted to post to remember my dad. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him. In many ways, life moves on without him. I got engaged and then married, I've started a new job and then another, I've grown closer to my mom, and now I'm moving apartments (for the second time). But in other ways, he's always with me. I've taken his advice and example to heart. Live and let live, make others smile, enjoy good music, pursue your dreams and don't ever settle. 

An anecdotal example (because what would an ode to my dad be without a story?): I complained to Chipotle via their online comment option the other day for another botched online order (it had happened several times and I was steadily becoming an unhappy customer). I quickly received an e-mail from someone at their corporate office and a phone call from the store manager both apologizing and I got free meals. My dad never settled for mediocre. He felt that customer service should be held to a certain standard and he taught me not to accept substandard service. He complained to restaurants and other service-based business a lot. He did it with good humor while still being direct. I remember being embarrassed as a kid and would apologize behind his back. As an adult, spending my own money, I take a different approach to the situation.  While I differ in the amount of grace I give, I am still one to speak up for myself. If I am giving my money to a business, I want to be treated well. By standing up for myself and asking for the situation (which was starting to become a pattern) to be dealt with, I know I made my dad proud.

One Fine Day (the song this post is named for) is my favorite song of all time. I have no idea why. I just loved it as a kid, and it has stuck to me. For one of my birthdays, my dad gave me the record for it (music was our thing, in addition to food). I had wanted it forever, so I was over the moon excited. He wrote on the cover that it was "One Fine Day" that I was born and became his daughter. To come from my dad, not being an emotional person, the message meant far more than the record did. So that record will always be my favorite. And something I can't say now (but probably did in other ways) is that it was also "one fine day" to become his daughter.

While I can't get his advice anymore, hear his opinion on current events, or share new songs I love. I know where he stood and can imagine what he would say. It brings me comfort to know that he will always be with me in those ways. I hope to instill the values of hard work, respect, and good humor to my eventual children.

But today, being Father's Day, I also want to recognize Randy and Chris (not my husband, Kris, different Chris) who have been there for me these past couple of years in my dad's absence. No one can fill the hole my dad left. There is too much history there to even come close. However, these men have softened the blow of his death by giving me care, support, and the occasionally (much) needed advice. Kris and I absolutely cherish the friendship we have with them. They each encourage us in their own way and, while I can't speak for Kris's dad, their ways of thinking aren't too far off from the way my dad thought. I think my dad would be grateful for the ways you have cared for us and been there when he couldn't.

To you both: I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and am so thankful you are a part of our lives. As much as this post is for my dad and remembering him, it is also for you who have let us into your lives and cared for us in ways that only family really does. I cannot thank you enough.

I look forward to the day when Father's Day will not only be a day for Kris and I to remember our dad's, but also be a day to celebrate for ourselves (eventually).

So, finally, Happy Father's Day to all the fathers in the world who love and cherish their children and strive to do good by them to raise them well. Today is for you.