100 Happy Days: Day Two - My Dad

I have been blessed with parents that are so amazing that they need two separate blog entries to express my gratitude for each of them. I chose to write this entry about my dad since I got to spend some time with him today. 

I've always been a "daddy's girl". My parents were both working full-time jobs, but as soon as I came into the picture, they made the decision together that my mom would continue to focus on career while my dad switched over to a part-time job schedule in order to make time to take care of me. From learning how to style my hair into braids (to prevent catching lice from other kids in school), to teaching me how to ride a bike (despite my lack of balance and coordination), my dad has always been a major part of my childhood. Even into the stages of pre-teen, teen, and young adulthood, my father continued to stay as patient as ever, support me no matter what, and love me unconditionally. He's the kind of dad that will lecture me for hours when I make a bad decision, yet be the first one there when I'm having a bad day. We have a tradition, started from my college days, to make a point to talk to each other at least once a day. Most of the time it's just a simple phone call to ask how we're each doing, to laugh about something funny, me asking for advice, or to discuss what we love best - how the New York Giants can win the Superbowl this year (or trying to convince my dad to keep watching and cheering for his team even when they have a terrible season like last year). 

Basically, knowing that there is always someone there for me that loves me, supports me, and appreciates me no matter how many mistakes I may make, or how many successes I accomplish, is one of the most gratifying feelings in the world. The field that I work in, and the exposure to a wide variety of parenting skills (or lack of skills in some cases), really makes me appreciate my dad even more. In addition to being a concrete support, I'm also grateful that I've managed to inherit three of the many traits my awesome dad possesses: 

1. A big heart

2. Humor

3. A strong appreciation for the NY Giants

I started as a "daddy's girl", and I certainly will always be one.