Dad. A simple word used to describe someone so important. Superdad is another simple (made up) term; used to describe an important person who is there to protect and fight for his family. If you were lucky enough to grow up with a superdad of your own, you know that nothing anyone can do will ever compare to what your dad (happily) did for you over the years.
Everyone was scared of him except for you.
If your dad is like mine, then basically every single student, teacher and parent at your school was intimidated by him. But let's admit it; while he may look deadly, he's secretly the biggest teddy bear in the world. He's just hiding behind that facial hair and cowboy hat.
You have memories of humming, rocking chairs and always being carried to your bed.
He hums while you hug, he hums you to sleep, he hums non-stop. Superdad also has no problem holding his kids or rocking them for however many hours it takes for them to fall asleep. Seriously, there was nothing better than waking up either one, while being carried to your bed or two, suddenly in bed when you actually fell asleep in the car or on the couch. No matter where you decided to snooze; Superdad was there to make sure you made it into bed safely each night.
He can cook, sew, clean and fold laundry better than most housewives.
Superdad can cook (almost) any meal, sew all of your ripped school uniforms, and even dust when mom tells him to. He also will roll his eyes and refold every single item you folded because, to be honest, you aren't doing it correctly.
He is always available to drive you wherever you need to be.
You never understood when your friends' would tell you they couldn't hang out because they had no ride. Superdad was the real MVP for driving you to all of those random friends' homes for sleepovers over the years. He's also there to drive you to practice, school, the store, etc. Plus he doesn't even make you pay gas money.
He has an answer or a fix for everything.
No matter what toy was broken or what weird question you came up with, he was there with an answer. You've never met someone who knows so many random facts about the world or knows all the different uses of carpenter's glue.
There is no one you trust more with your life.
Here's where the actual "super" dad comes into play; he has more knowledge and survival skills in one inch of his brain than I could ever hope to know. I'm not exaggerating when I say he's the biggest badass you'll ever meet (most Vietnam vets are), but I'm also not exaggerating when I say that he knows how to survive basically anywhere with very few tools. The number one thing I would want with me on a deserted island is my superdad, followed closely by some cheesy fries.
He's never in the loop but constantly trying.
Typically, Superdad is always busy working or running around doing things for the family. I've also learned that a lot of superdads are outnumbered by females in their home, so it's easy to conclude that superdads have zero idea on the latest drama, funny conversation, or temper tantrum. However, don't roll your eyes at him just yet, because the confused expressions and questions he asks while he tries to understand why Sarah is dating Matt but wants to dump him for Zach but doesn't, are actually quite cute.
He was at every practice/game/play; you name it and he was there.
You may have been a little late because he got lost on the way, but your superdad made a point of always being there. Even when your team warmed up at 4:30 am, or the event was held an hour away, he was there. While he probably wasn't always paying attention, being able to look up and see him smiling was enough.
He's a silent hero.
Superdads don't care who knows how great they are. They stay relatively quiet and peaceful unless provoked. They're gentle souls who exude happiness and peacefulness to almost everyone they meet. He was definitely not the parent shouting obnoxiously for no reason nor was he the one to strike up conversations with randos, thankfully. (Unless you ask him about politics...then he will talk to anyone.)
He drops everything for you.
My older sister attended college in Virginia, and one Thanksgiving her flight home was canceled due to a snowstorm. Refusing to let my sister spend her holiday week stranded in an airport, my dad immediately got in his car and drove 13 hours round trip to pick her up. I think they got home around 2 a.m., and he had to do the same trip a few days later to take her back to school. If that's not a superdad, I don't know what is.
He is willing to go the extra mile for his family.
Superdads don't just drop everything in emergencies, they do it on a daily basis. They're at the school in twenty minutes if their kid is sick, they pick up mom's dry cleaning on the way home because they know she doesn't have time, and they pack your lunches every day for years when you're growing up. There is nothing that can stop them from providing happiness and easing the stress of their family members. You can always count on them.
I've been blessed with a superdad for 21 years and I still can't find all the words to describe how amazing of a person my dad is. While he was obligated to be my father, he never had to be the superdad he was, and every day I grow more and more grateful for everything he has done for me. There will never be enough opportunities to tell him how much I love him.
Dedicated to my very own Superdad: Donald E Austin.
Happy early Birthday! I love you.
