Musing: ode to a dad

The perfect guy gift list, according to Phil Dunphy of ABC’s hit comedy Modern Family: “a robot dog, night-vision goggles, speakers that look like rocks, a GPS watch, bug vacuum, or a yogurt maker.”  As of today, I’ve given my husband exactly zero items from that list, despite his adamant approval of Phil’s choices.  I may have gotten one step closer to perfect with his 2010 Father’s Day gift: a woven stainless steel and ballistic nylon wallet from Stewart/Stand.  Yup.  It’s RFID repellant, too.  Phil probably should have included it on his list.

This is Big Friend’s second Father’s Day, and truth be told, I get more excited about this celebration than his birthday.  Something about celebrating Father’s Day feels like a rite of passage, a membership to an exclusive club, a promise for the future.  It’s a day when I get to celebrate my husband’s changing role in my life and cherish the relationship he is building with Little Friend.  Today, I thought I’d take a quick retrospective of some touching moments from the past year and a half between Big Friend and Little Friend.  Looking at these snapped seconds of time, I’m convicted that the first item on any “perfect gift” list should be someone who fits the job description of a devoted fan, fierce hugger, funny-noise maker, boo-boo kisser, night-time walker, diaper changer, bad singer, and daughter worshipper.  In short, a perfect Father’s Day gift is having a great dad to celebrate.  Little Friend is one lucky girl.  Happy Big Friend Day, Big Friend!

Our first Family Meeting
Big Friend demonstrates perfect burping technique.
Little Friend leaves the hospital in Big Friend's "going home" outfit.
Love at first sight.
Two of Big Friend's favorite things: The New Yorker and Little Friend.
Like father, like daughter.
Perfect spot for a quick snooze.
Big Friend and Little Friend share her first meal.
Bedtime traditions start young.
Big Friend and Little Friend take on the world.
The first Father's Day...in matching "Big Friend" and "Little Friend" outfits.
Flying is more fun when Big Friend is involved.
Big Friend introduces Little Friend to the ocean.
Happy Halloween, from Chicken Little Friend
Measuring a two-foot snowfall, Big Friend/Little Friend style.
Squirms and kisses
Picking a Christmas tree is better with a Friend (Big or Little).
"This is a foot," says Little Friend to Big Friend.
Big Friend shares his rock hunting skills...
...and his swinging skills.
More adventures with the dynamic duo.
Friends forever.

6 Comments

  1. Nancy said:

    This is wonderful Beth. Little Friend is so blessed to have such loving and caring parents. I know you feel blessed to be her parents as well. Love to all of you.

    June 21, 2010
    Reply
  2. Martha said:

    As always, great job, Beth. Big Friend must have been so touches by all this, as I was.

    June 21, 2010
    Reply
  3. Jo said:

    Oh-h-h-h. How beautiful. Big Friend does deserve the applause, as Little Friend couldn’t ask for a better Daddy.

    June 21, 2010
    Reply
  4. Melissa Taylor-Malloff said:

    Beth, you guys are such great parents. Little Friend is certainly a very lucky girl, and not just because of Big Friend, but because of her wonderful Mom too. The pictures are absolutely adorable, my favorite is the one of Big Friend in a special swing with little friend. How cute!

    June 21, 2010
    Reply
  5. Megan said:

    I concur on the favorite picture being the one on the swingset. I told Nathan about the geeky Father’s Day gift and I was perplexed as to how a wallet could be geeky, but Nathan nailed it that it would have something to do with being RFID repellant. (Luckily my husband can’t look nearly as geeky when he is hanging out with YOUR husband.)

    June 22, 2010
    Reply
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