Father's Day weekend is here. No matter how old you get, your dad is still your dad. Over the years, the relationship changes and goes through phases. They go something like this.
1. At 4, 5 and 6 years old, your Dad is perfect. In fact he is a super hero in your eyes. (Hopefully without the cape and tights. That would just lead to childhood trauma down the road.) He can do no wrong and you love to look up to him.
2. At 10, 11 and 12 years old, your Dad knows NOTHING. Pre-teens have a unique perspective on the world while all those hormones struggle to find balance in their little bodies. One such side effect of these hormones is that they have made them think that their parents do not know ANYTHING about EVERYTHING.
3. At 14, 15 and 16, your dad is just downright embarrassing. I mean, have you ever seen a teenager voluntarily hang out with their Dad within a one km radius? (Unless, of course, he has his wallet handy. That's a game changer.) Or when the teenager becomes fashion conscious and does not appreciate Dad's Costco jeans worn with socks and sandals.
4. At 18, hopefully, they want to leave the house. They have had enough of Dad telling them how to do things like cleaning their room, helping their mother with dishes or starting to buy their own gas for the weekends.
5. At 25 - 30, they realize that Dad was right. Not only was he right, but he knew what he was talking about more often than not. Perhaps you didn't quite appreciate your Dad's vision as you grew up but hindsight is 20/20.
6. At 30 - 40, it's now a good time hanging out at Dad's house. In fact, you are so busy cooking, cleaning and running after kids of your own, that spending time with Dad is now relaxing. Not only does Grandpa now run after the little ones, you may get a BBQ supper out of the whole deal.
7. At 50, you realize time is precious. You appreciate hearing the same stories about 'back in the day' that your Dad tells, yet again, for the twentieth time. Especially since the version changes slightly every time he tells it.
8. At 70+, you would give up everything to have one last visit, cup of coffee or hug from your Dad. Time has made you wise and you realize that it was the little things your Dad did for you that you remember and miss the most.
So this Father's Day, no matter what stage you are at, enjoy spending time with your Father. You are lucky to have one.
