My Daddy

I was born on the same day as my father, on his 22nd birthday. I got his teeth and need to be right all the time. We are very similar and even though in his recent comment he eluded to the fact that I couldn't stand to be seen with him as a teenager, I have a different story. Though I went through my "don't touch me" phase, I was also very aware growing up that my parents were young, liberal, and very cool. Recently while going through old emails, I found a list I had created of my Dad's witicisms and I could not wait for father's day to post them. In 1999, my mother agreed to speak at a father/daughter luncheon and she asked me for a list of advice that my dad has given me over the years. Unfortunately, the pearls of wisdom I have learned may not be the most pulpit appropriate advice, though I think that they may explain a lot about who I am. I also believe they have spanned the test of time, and are universally great advice for all children young and old.

Age 13: Your hormones will be humping and bumping soon and I want you to know you can always talk to me. (ie. Come and let me know when boys want to touch you so I can cut their hands off.)

Age 16: On how to kiss a boy: Just suck on their lower lip. "Gawd gross dad, stop, I don't want to hear any more."

Age 19: Boys only want one thing, unless they are gay, and then you still have to be careful. (ie. I think you are too young to have good gaydar, or I think you are dating a lot of bisexuals.)

Age 24: Happiness is a state of mind. You should not dwell on the negative. You have to be happy with who you are. (This is when I was moving from Indiana to Colorado because I was unhappy. He thought that moving out of Indiana wouldn't make me happy if I was trying to escape something.) Though the advice was true, it ended up being a great decision for me. Dad: 5, Daughter: 1.

Age mid-20's: Surround yourself with positive people and you will live a happier life. Cut out the negativity in your life.

Age mid-20's: Regarding marriage: When you are ready to spend the rest of your life with someone you will know. You can't force a relationship to happen. If it is not meant to be, it is not meant to be, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt.

Age 26: Only use your power for good and never evil. (When he refered to me as Kickboxing Zena Warrior Wench.)

Age 28: Practice practice practice. To be a rock star you have to practice. (This can go for many things in life.)

I love you dad and I am sure that even though I am a full on adult now, that there is still a lot of advice forthcoming. This is where my dad chimes in and explains what he was really trying to say, which will end up being much funnier than my actual post.