When I was little my dad seemed huge and a little bit scary. Now I know he is just a big teddy bear. He is my constant, my thermometer. He is the one I turn to when I need a fair assessment of the situation. What will always remember of dad is Old Spice and mackeral soup. In kindergarten he would take me to the same restaurant for grilled cheese (and to see a boy). He was kind enough to let Santa borrow his red Dodge truck. He let Brian and me keep a pony he found in our woods. He sat up all night with Thunder that cold night in February when he died. He would let me have a cat even though he hates cats. Outside of his unconditional love for me, his life lessons mean the most.

1. Family comes first.
2. Don’t cry over spilled milk.
3. If you can’t pay for it now, how are you going to pay for it later?
4. How do you feel when other people gloat?
5. Be nice to your husband, he is a good man.

These are the big lessons-some I am still working on. I feel so blessed to be chosen to be the daughter of such an amazing man.