Reflections on Father's Day

I still think back in amazement about becoming a dad at such a young age. It was scary, exciting, and so much fun (minus the lack of sleep thing)! This morning I was thinking about some of my fondest memories and thought Father’s Day would be the perfect day to share one or two from each kid with you.

The first major snowstorm with my girlie was one to remember. She was bundled up from head to toe in pink: pink boots, pink snow suit, pink scarf, pink hat, and pink gloves. She looked like a pink starfish, and moved like one, too. I had created a little mound of snow so that she could try her new sled. Stiff as a board, I sat her on the sled, and proudly let go. [You all know how this ends, don’t you?] Needless to say, she literally rolled back off the sled as it slid down the snow. She ended up face up in snow-angel-making position, looking up at me. I can only imagine what she must’ve been thinking. To my amazement, she didn’t cry, but I also can’t remember her ever going sledding again (she’s now 17) so there may be some deep-rooted psychological trauma there because of me. Sorry, pretty…

I have no concept of age, but I remember this moment as clear as day. My big boy was just learning to talk, and I always remember being in awe of how quickly his vocabulary was developing. It was easy for him since my girlie never stopped talking (wink, wink). I had excitedly come home from work to open a package I’d received; a new bike frame and fork I’d received in exchange for some design work I did for a budding frame design company. I remember sitting on the floor, putting the fork into the frame, and leaning up against the wall in my kitchen. Hearing the commotion, my little fat man (not fat-shaming…this is totally a term of endearment) curiously strolled in to the kitchen to see what was going on. 30% head, with a pudgy belly and tiny arms, he moved closer pointing at the olive green frame. It was almost as if he was processing… he looked at it, looked at me, and went back and forth until he finally belted out, “THE BIH!” I was shocked! I’m still not sure how he knew what it was. I was always on my bike back then, but I have no idea how he recognized a deconstructed bike as such. I immediately responded with a big smile on my face, “Yes, buddy, the bike!!!” Recognizing his accomplishment, he then marched around the kitchen smiling and chanting over and over, “THE BIH!” “THE BIH!” “THE BIH!” Now 15, he’s riding manuals (wheelies) like a boss – better than I ever will, which is what fatherhood is all about.

Coincidentally, my little guy’s story is bike-related, too. My big guy, being the amazing big brother that he is, suggested little man take his training wheels off. He had been riding a glide bike perfectly for a while, and had been practicing a pedal bike with training wheels on. I was mowing the lawn, so the brothers were working on the bike thing together when I heard, “YOU GOT IT!!!” I ran out to see and sure enough, within 10 minutes, little man was riding a two-wheeler without training wheels AT 4 YEARS OLD! The Force is strong in that one… Moments later, he road down our sidewalk and was clotheslined by a an unruly bush growing on the side of the house. He didn’t cry from the fall, he cried because he felt betrayed that I hadn’t trimmed THAT specific bush so he could practice his new skill. This one played out on Instagram, though, and you could see the aftermath first-hand here. Two years later, he now keeps up with his big brother and his friends without skipping a beat. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

It’s been an amazing 17 years of fatherhood, and I know my work has just begun. My girlie is going to be entering her senior year in high school, and the big guy is going to be a sophomore,  and yet every time I see them, this is the visual I get in my head. I miss them at these young ages – their innocence, and their ability to make the best out of every situation. I want to hold on to that as long as I can. Thank god for little man!!

Comment below - I’d love to hear your fondest memories as a dad. Gotta go make breakfast for them… Happy Father’s Day!