I have been a little sick and self-absorbed lately. I also have no sense of what day, let alone date, it is. So when Chad surprised me Valentines Day morning with a homely, little, heart-shaped cut-out filled with some yogurt that was slowly oozing out the bottom I was a little confused. Now I am just irritated that I was not fit to celebrate some of the most excellent people in my life. So, sorry Chad, I really owe you. Especially after melting down in the evening, when you were just trying to help.

What I neglected to put together until this morning, is that since it was Valentines Day yesterday, that means my dad’s birthday was the day before. OOPS!!! Sorry Dad. So I am going to brag about him some and hope he knows that I think the world of him.

Some of my most favorite memories are those that have been shared with my dad. One of my favorite days is still the time we spent on one of his days off. We went out to lunch at a local culinary program at a community college, then got fresh produce at a road side stand. We were going along in his truck with “The Music Man” blaring. I think that music is genius! We stopped at the library and found $40 dollars in a book. At the check out he joked with the librarian that using the library is “better than free!” She had no idea what he was so proud of. Then we went home and tried out one of the very best recipes, “Pumpkin Chowder,” mmm.

Dad is really even tempered. So when my mom and I were going off our rockers, he was great at helping me calm down and move forward. Dad never really got involved in a lot of my issues. He always treated me like a responsible adult. So when he gave his input about guys I was dating or something I was doing I really took it to heart.

My dad is a great story teller. He is really quiet if he doesn’t know you–but watch out! We all get so we are just crying because we are laughing so hard!

He is probably the most creative and inventive person I know. We had plans to float down the Snoqualmie river once, but could not find any inner tubes that didn’t cost a bajillion dollars. So dad and I went and picked up some blow up kiddie pools and a blow up dolphin. Dad’s great idea. They worked great! Of course, we stared blowing them up on the way home so the car was full of water toys. Because he’s my dad, he was not satisfied with the dolphin so he took a Sharpie and drew some gills and sharp teeth so we had a cool shark instead.

I could go on forever about this guy. He has taught me a lot. He has made life so much fun! He is a totally RAD DAD! I cannot wait to see him as a grandpa. Chad and I are going to have the luckiest kids. I love him tons!

Happy Birthday Dad!