Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

In a few days, it will be your birthday. To many, maybe even to you, November 19ths are merely days that come once a year. However, to me, it is one of my very favorite holidays. November 19^th is worth celebrating – it is the birthday of my hero, my dad. This year, I have wondered what to get you. I am not sure what you want that you do not already have. And, knowing you, if I asked you would tell me that you don’t need anything. So this year I have decided to write you a note to let you know how much you mean to me. I know that you already know how much I love you, but sometimes it’s nice to have a tangible reminder of such sentiments.

I cannot remember too much from my early years. However, my earliest memories have you in them. In fact, I remember having a white bib with navy lettering and a navy border that said I that I wanted to be a lawyer when I grew up. I remember looking at that bib a few years after I wore it and asking what it said. I did not know what a lawyer was but I knew I wanted to be a lawyer because that’s what you were … and I wanted to be just like you. Did you know that I wanted to be a lawyer for years and years for that fact alone? Since then, I have decided that law is not the career path for me … but that does not negate the fact that I still want to be like you in many ways.

I love the parent that you are. Dad, you even went to Brownie Girl Scouts with me! When I was in first grade, you and I went on a Mother/Daughter Girl Scout camp out. Mom was pregnant, and I was too young to attend by myself. Back then, I did not think twice about the fact that you made corn husk dolls, butter, and aprons with me and other girls and their mommies. Now I know how very blessed I am to have grown up with a father who would be in my life no matter what … even if that meant singing Kumbaya around a camp fire.

Dad, you did big things with me. We went on overnight field trips together. All of the boys wanted you to be their chaperone. They all knew that you were fun and kind. Shy me made lots of friends because my dad was the coolest! In fact, it got to the point where the teacher had to draw names out of a hat because of your popularity. I could not have been any prouder.

You instilled a love of music in me. You have always loved getting drawn into stories embodied by poignant Broadway tunes. When we listened to songs in the car, you’d tell me about the show that it was written for … the actor that sang it … the composer who wrote it. I used to love my pop quizzes – I scored well because I always listened when you had something to say. Many nights, we would just sit in the car and listen to a song finish before we got out and went inside; Sometimes, we’d pull into the driveway before all of a show’s tunes had been played … and then the car would go into reverse and we’d drive down the beach for a few blocks in order to finish the sequence of tunes. It was the perfect way to end a day.

Speaking of musicals, we attended many shows together. Rain or shine, we went to the theater on Friday nights. Do you remember when that tropical storm hit us while “Ragtime” was playing? Royal Palms and power lines littered our street. You could not get your car onto our street because of all the road blocks. However, nothing would get in the way of us seeing that show together. We walked in the rain and climbed over debris – and basically had a private viewing of one our most favorite musicals ever!

In school, I was quite the academic. I think the biggest reason for my success was the fact that you believed in me. Dad, you were always so proud of me and you made me know that I could do it – so I did. In high school and in college I always knew that you were proud of me. And, if I ever forgot, your friends were always there to remind me of that fact.

I have so many fond memories of you. Walks on the beach … watching the Macy’s Day Parade … feeding the birds … watching 60 Minutes … riding bikes … double movies … going to the zoo and to Disney World … drinking root beer on the boardwalk … listening to stories that you told me about your dad … watching a Maryland / Florida game … going to Costco … Burn’s Steakhouse … the boat … the birth of a child of my own… And I cherish every single one of them.

About one year ago, I found out that the child I was carrying way a boy. It was so easy for Andrew and I to name him “Alan,” as Alan is the name of two of the most important people in our lives. And now, here I am typing this letter with a little six month old Alan Wade on my lap. Like you, he is sweet and funny and on the bald side. I hope that he will embody the traits that I so love about you.

Dad, on this November 19^th, I hope that you have the most wonderful birthday yet. I hope that you get to see two movies in a row, have a wonderful birthday dinner, and then have strawberry short cake for dessert. I hope that you unwrap presents that will simultaneously make you smile and touch your heart. And when it’s time for you to go to bed, I hope that you know that you have meant so much to so many people for 63 years and that you will continue to do just that for years to come. Happy birthday. God bless you. Thank you. I love you, Dad.

Love always,

Anna