We all know that one person who can never be on time, but when that person is your parent, it's a whole new realm of problems. I've grown up subjected to my father's complete absence of punctuality, and in the process, I've learned a few things.

You know you have a chronically late parent when:

1. If you know your Dad (or said parent) is picking you up, you come prepared for anything. You pack an extra lunch, maybe a dinner, definitely a blanket, and an even a change of clothes because if he says he will be there at 5:30 p.m., you know its really 5:30 + 3 hours.

2. You view time as a loose illusion that can be manipulated toward any means in hopes to fool him into maybe, just maybe, being on time.

Example: If you need to be at your friends house (who lives 10 minutes away) at 2:45 p.m., you make sure to tell your Dad that you need to leave by noon.

But you are also aware that this genius manipulation has failed on every past attempt, so you let your friend know anyway, that you will be a few hours late.

3. You constantly are asking him: "What is wrong with you? Why can't you be on time?!"

And he answers:

Or worse:

Because he knows "The Princess Diaries" is your favorite movie, and therefore, you are forced to forgive his lateness once again.

4. When you pray daily to be able to walk into school/work at a normal and acceptable pace because you are tired of being judged for sprinting like you're at the Olympic Trials to constantly make up for lost time.

What you want to look like:

But instead, you have to look like:

5. Every time you hear that your Dad is driving you today, you can't help but have this reaction:

6. When you actually have to be somewhere important at a certain time, and your dad hops in the shower two minutes before you have to leave:

7. When you spend an hour getting ready, but then end up waiting another two just to leave.

Thanks, Dad.

8. When you get a chance to drive yourself, you make sure you are the first one there.

But then you realize, maybe being early is not so good after all...

When this crazed confusion hits, you begin to realize maybe it's all right to be a little late once in a while. Maybe your parent does know what they're doing, and maybe, just maybe, you begin to accept it, too.

No matter how late your parent makes you, and no matter how early you plead, beg, and wish to be early, always remember that...

and you should love them regardless.