I miss my dad.
Yes, he still lives only 0.7 miles from me. Yes, I text him every morning. Yes, I Facetime him almost nightly so my kids can say goodnight. Yes, I usually see him at least once a week.
But I still miss my dad.
For the past 5 years, I called my dad every morning on my commute to Austin (thank you, hands free phones!). When I was in college, I’d call my dad every evening or when I was walking home from a late class.
I always knew I loved these conversations, but I didn’t realize how much my soul really NEEDED them until they disappeared. I started working from home, and I lost those uninterrupted minutes in the car. From sun up until sun down I’ve been knee deep in household duties and kids. SO MANY KIDS. This change has been necessary for our family, but it hasn’t been an easy one.
I’ve always loved spending time with my dad. Even now, the thought of our Sunday drives brings back such fond memories. This past summer, my dad took me on a drive to Whitewater Wines. Just the two of us. We visited about everything and nothing all at the same time. I felt like I was 10 again and not 32 with 3 kids at home.
Every major decision has been done after talking with my dad. I value his opinion so highly. Why? Because he always has my best interest at heart. He is thinking about what’s best for me in everything he says. I know the advice he gives me will be heartfelt.
Whenever I go on a trip, I text my dad right when we arrive. You see, I get it now. I get why he’s always worried about me. Since I’ve become a parent, I have that worry too. Whether it’s familial or parental, either way, I get it.
My dad was raised in a generation where children were not often “parented” like we do today. He grew up quickly, and he expected my brother and I to grow up and mature quickly as well. My generation often scoffs at this style of parenting, but it worked. You better believe we did what we could to follow the rules, get good grades, and be good citizens. I’m thankful every day for the way my parents raised us. Every parenting style has its flaws, but if the root of your parenting style is love, then it’s perfect. And my dad’s actions are definitely rooted in love.
He didn’t raise me as if he were my friend, he raised me as a parent, which meant his decisions weren’t always popular and I didn’t always like them. What he didn’t realize then is that he would become my friend. In fact, he would become one of my very best friends!
This year has been tough. Between leaving a career I loved, having our third child, renovating our home, and our whole family being dragged down by various sicknesses, the one thing that has been constant this year is the love and support from my dad.
Now, it is my mission to bring those daily calls back. After all, I only have one dad, and he’s the absolute best. I miss my dad, but I’m blessed that I get the opportunity to continue making those calls every day.
