Up until I was 8 years old my brother and I we were raised by my step-mother and grandmothers, not too many men around. We flew from Pennsylvania to Florida to move in with our new parents.  It was truly exciting and we were very scared.

I can remember pulling into our front yard, and there stood my 5 new brothers and sisters. They ran to us, with arms wide open, it was overwhelming but it felt good, it really felt right, I think maybe we finally might be home!  Now I finally knew what it felt like to have two parents. 

It took a little getting used to having a dad around, I was new at it but I have to admit I adjusted quickly. I felt like I was the luckiest girl on earth, I now have an incredible dad.  He was my first love, my daddy!  

There is nothing more special than a father and daughter relationship.  My poor dad had 3 of us fighting for his attention.  That's a lot of stress for one man.  Somehow he did it and I have to admit he did a good job. 

My dad reminds me of Kris Kristopherson with the charm of Robert Redford and a lot of James Dean.  Looks, personality and wisdom.   As my father would say, "It's in the Jeans!"  (No misspelling there, you have to know my father to understand!) 

He was born in a time it was OK to act manly and was not perceived macho, he really taught me the difference between man and woman.  You know the way a man should be there for their wife.  He treated us girls as ladies and you know the old saying, boys will be boys.  In my family, I understood the difference.

Just to give you an idea, this is why I fell in love with him......

Holidays were a special time in our house, especially Christmas, I can remember my father bought my mom 1 present per day for the 12 Days of Christmas, so if it was the 6th day she received 6 presents on the 6th day!  I used to think Wow, he is so dreamy, I want to marry a man just like him someday!

I remember our entire family was on the way to the drive in and we got in a car accident, I was amazed how my father handled himself, comforted my mom and us kids.  The way he dealt with the police, got enough takeout for everyone and managed to get all of us in bed.  That night was really impactful, I new then I loved that man and wanted to make him proud because that night he stood taller than ever and proved to me what was important to him and I couldn't have picked a better man myself!

Throughout my life my father has been there for me and many others, he truly has impacted many people's lives.  He coached baseball and football for many years and was involved in various organizations.

Today at 70 he is highly involved in his church and the MS Society.  To me he is the perfect role model and without a doubt one of the most influential people in my life.

So Daddy the message to you is I love you.  You have made me a better person with the love and support you have always given me. 

To me you are a gift and I will forever treasure all the special moments we share from the Cognac at the baseball games to you having me paged at Barnes and Noble. 

Some of the most memorable conversations and moments are with you and I hope that never changes. 

I love you daddy, you are so brave and still so suave....you are definitely without a doubt my hero, my first love, my daddy!

This is Why They Ride 

 My Mom Picked Me