Dee-Lovely: Dad's Birthday & Some of his Great Lessons

This past weekend my dad hit a milestone birthday, so I flew home for a quick weekend to surprise him. Along with his closest family members (and with many others in spirit!), we enjoyed a long meal of his favorite foods to celebrate the big Six-Oh. We looked at old pictures and spent hours telling stories, and that walk down memory lane reminded me of the so many reasons I'm glad my dad is my dad. Like many good fathers, he's taught me so much, so to honor him on his big birthday week, here's a list of just a few things I've learned from Frank :)

Sonoma, CA - 2013

It's not a vacation if there isn't a beach.

Since I was literally bean-sized, I've been a bonafide beach bum. I largely have my dad to thank for this. Our annual trek to Wildwood Crest, NJ meant hours upon hours of resting along the shore, listening to the whoosh of the waves, and tasting the salty air. Every morning, we'd take our chairs out and park them in the ideal spot, not packing up until it was time for dinner and whatever the evening had in store. We loved those trips (just look at my dad's Jersey Shore t-shirt collection) and now I can't call it vacation unless I've dug my toes into some sand.

No good music was made after 1980.

Okay, I know what you're thinking - ummm, *NSYNC?! But I'm sorta with my dad on this one - the best sounds came out of the 60's and 70's. Growing up, there was always music - in the car, from the living room stereo - and unless we were cooking (buona serra, The Three Tenors), I was hearing the likes of Jefferson Airplane and Fleetwood Mac. Again another t-shirt collection (from NY's Classic Rock Station Q104) points us to my dad's love of this amazing music era, one he passed on to me as well, and for that I'm grateful!

Floss.

I'm not sure if he realizes this, but I've never seen anyone so darn diligent with their dental hygiene. Okay I might not floss as much as I should (sorry) but whenever I do it's because I think of my dad. And he's got quite a flashy and healthy smile, I might add. So there ya go, Dad - flossing.

Keep little traditions.

Corn muffins at birthday diner breakfasts. Buying a Christmas ornament each summer. Little traditions are important. We had a slew of them involving summer trips, and a few more involving the holidays. Without fail, each year, my dad saw to it that we'd keep our traditions - many of them involving food! Even if in the last few years some of those have gone away due to growing up and distance, I'm glad my dad kept so many traditions. It made growing up fun, and our time together so special.

Take risks and follow your heart.

When I told my dad I wanted to major it theatre, he told me he was my biggest fan. When I said I wanted to move to LA without a job, he didn't tell me I was young and stupid. He told me stories of his motorcycle trips to California and then offered to accompany me on my own cross country road trip. More than anything else, my dad has been my biggest supporter and always made me feel like he was in my corner, glad to see me do whatever made me happier, smarter, and more independent, even if it meant taking big risks. Thankfully, a lot of those risks have paid off so far, but even if some won't, I always know I have my dad to give me a big hug and tell me everything will be fine, because we've got family and health and the beach, what more do you need?