What can I say about my father? He is smart, handsome, hilarious, a hard-worker, avid car enthusiast, caring, loving, and a great dad. I vividly remember the summer of 1984 when I was three years old and my family went to Colorado. I remember that my father was the last to arrive because of business related issues. “Welcome to the Colorado Zoo!” my eyes lit up when my dad pushed me through the big gates. I remember somehow falling out of my stroller, and here comes Dad to save the day! As the trip neared its end, unfortunately, my dad had to leave early due to business calling.
A gorgeous, sparkling brown 1978 Corvette sits in the driveway. As soon as I saw that car, I knew I wanted to learn more about them. In the spring of 1986, I get my first lesson about cars. I remember my dad and I being covered in grease and oil from head to toe. I jumped up and down with joy and kissed my dad for giving me my first lesson. In the summer of that same year, my dad surprised me by taking me to my very first car show in Wakarusa, Indiana. The revving of motors, chattering of men and women, squealing of tires, my ears perked up with excitement! I got out of the corvette and held my daddy’s hand tight as we walked around the many streets looking at vintage cars and taking in the sights.
“Daddy!” I yelled, as we were walking around. I pointed out the elephant ear food booth, and we shared a delicious cinnamon and sugar elephant ear. As the car show came to an end, he buckled me in, and headed back home. “Mommy!” I yelled, as I ran through the front door, to tell her of my first car show, and show her “daddy and me” matching shirts. As the years are passing and I’m getting older, I still get excited to go to car shows with my father.
In the summer of 2009, I surprised my father with a tattoo. The tattoo is on my left shoulder blade, and has the Corvette flags with his initials and the year of his Corvette in the checkered flag. The most surprising part that brought tears to my father’s eyes was that I had “Daddy’s Girl” written around the flags.
In lieu of Father’s Day, these are just three memories to share with you. I’m getting older, as is my father, and reminiscing about past-times is fun, but making new memories is even better! I can say I am truly a daddy’s girl and always will be. I love my father and just knowing that he will always be there for me is comforting. My father has helped me in so many ways, that I could never re-pay him for all that he has done for me. So, to end this article; I say “If there is only one person a girl can rely on, it’s her father.” So, for all you “daddy’s girls” out there, give your father a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and say I love you. To all you father’s out there in the world, Happy Father’s Day!