Dads are champions. There is really no better way to describe it. Our dads are the first men we fall in love with and the only men we love forever. Not only are dads easily able to fix toilets, appliances and toys but they know how to patch up a broken heart with nearly no effort at all. The day I can’t call my dad anymore will be the worst day of my life. No matter what, our dads hold the largest place within our hearts.
My relationship with my dad is incredibly unique. Anyone who knows us can tell you that. If you’re as lucky as I am to have a best friend in your dad, you’ll probably agree with these five reasons why.
1. He already knows you.
Sometimes introducing friends to your life isn’t the easiest thing to do. They come into our lives at awkward times. It’s difficult to explain your crazy family or on and off relationship to an outsider because they haven’t been around long enough to understand. But dad has.
Dad knows the boyfriend and gal pal drama from beginning to end. He knows the ins and outs and is ready for break up advice before you’ve even broken up. Not only is it always the best, most inspirational advice but it’s also the most valuable.
When my dad releases his self-renowned inspirations onto me you can bet your butt I’m wide-eyed and bushy-tailed. I realize not only from the wrinkles of knowledge on his forehead and beat up hands but also his success that whatever dad has to say is powerful. He’s been around the block a time or two.
2. He has to love you.
Let’s face it, Dad knows who you are and whether or not he likes it he has to accept it and love you. Whether you were coming home with a different outfit on than what you left wearing or getting detention for kissing your boyfriend in the hallway in high school, your dad will always love you.
Sometimes it’s surprising to know that Dad was ever a teenager too by how strict and asinine his rules may be but trust me, he was and part of him understands. I’ve grown to understand that my dad really just doesn’t want me to make the same mistakes he did but he’s grown to understand that I have to make mistakes to learn for myself. Really, it’s all about compromise. Unless of course I took his spot on the couch then there is absolutely no discussion after “Outta my spot.” Aye, aye, Captain.
3. You get to experience defining moments with him.
This one means a lot to me. While I was born during a Browns game and I’ll never hear the end of it, my dad was still there that Sunday I took my first breathe. Although he hated it, he was there for square dancing at my Girl Scout party and I’ll squeeze him to death one day as he walks me down the aisle. You know how much your dad loves you by how many dance recitals he sat through. Dad doesn’t miss anything significant, even if he doesn’t want to go.
Knowing you have someone there for you on the most important days of your life is an awesome feeling but knowing you have dad is an even better one. My dad isn’t an emotional man. While he may not shed tears or say a mouth full the day I graduate from college or get married I know that what he will be thinking inside doesn’t need to be said. The love smack I get over the head from my Italian father says it all.
4. You get to teach him things.
Dad taught you how to walk, talk, curse, ride a bike, not to date until you’re 38, drive a car and that oil changes are regular otherwise your engine will blow out. All of these are necessary things to know throughout life. Essentially, dad taught you life.
While there isn’t anything to teach dad that’s remotely as important as how to curse, within our time we still have the opportunity to teach them some things. We all know how miserable our dads are at using and understanding technology. My dad still has a flip phone that he nicknamed the “iPhone 9,” refers to SnapChat as “Snipper Chat” or “Skyping” and types “hashtag” instead of using the symbol.
Whether or not it's something meaningful, it's still an honor to teach them something. It can be frustrating at times trying to explain emoji talk to a grown man but remember, they had the same frustrations years ago that we do now trying to teach us that crayons stay on paper not on the walls.
5. He always knows how to make you laugh.
My dad is the most hysterical person I’ve ever met. Most of the time it’s because he’s being so annoying that I have to laugh, but his humor really suits me. Somehow, dads see our developing, individual personalities, go with it and collect mass amounts of jokes or comments to use leisurely.
Although we grew out of tickling and funny faces, we all know dad’s embarrassing dance moves never deserve anything less than a knee slapping hurrah. Also, the jokes are perfectly timed. Sometimes it may seem that he just won’t stop talking but he’s simply determined you’re in need of a “hardy, har, har” and he’s the perfect man for the job.
