Happy Sunday TKW Family and more importantly Happy Father’s Day to all of you amazing Dads! It’s been 24 years since my Dad has passed and not a day goes by that I don’t think about him. My Dad was my first hero and my first crush. All kids have that. Dad’s are invincible, the strongest, the bestest, the smartest, the funniest; they were everything. Dad was my rock; pushed me harder than anyone. He taught me to believe in myself and that I could do anything I set my mind to.
When Mom would go to bingo, he and I would have a ‘date’. He’d drive her to bingo while I sat in the back seat. Once she was dropped off I’d jump in the front seat, he’d turn on ‘goofy’ music as I called it, put the windows down and sign at the top of his lungs even when we were in traffic. He didn’t care if people would stare or what they thought. All he cared about was making me giggle. We’d then stop at this little gas station that was almost like a pseudo general store where “Old Man Mike” would give me an orange push up and a package of plain M&M’s. We’d then “set” outside on some dirty ol’ gas station seats that were torn but duct taped over. I’d eat my push up and then share my M&M’s.
Soon we’d be back in the car where at home Dad would lie down on the floor and play Barbie’s with me or let me put curlers in his hair. Heck he’d even let me put bright blue eye shadow and lipstick on him if I wanted to play dress up. Other times we’d go into the kitchen and cook up something great; a treat for when Mom came home. Dad would push a chair up to the counter so I could watch (cause I had to see everything he was doing). Even as early as the age of 3 I can remember him telling me to never crack an egg over a bowl that has ingredients in it. When I questioned why he cracked an egg into the bowl and purposely let shell fall into it. He then pushed the bowl in front of me and said “Here, now try to get the shells out. See how hard it is? That’s why you never crack an egg over food like this”
When Dad passed away my world shattered once again. However slowly with time my heart started to heal and while I still missed him every day I learned to smile when I thought about him. All of those amazing ‘us’ times we shared, those memories he gave me have lasted me a life time. Those lessons he taught me are ones I’ve carried with me throughout my life; even when it came to dating. He said “Lori, you want a man that can protect you, that will love you unconditionally. That will respect you and be your best friend. He should make you laugh til you cry and hold you tighter than anyone. He should be the first thing you think of when you wake up and the last thing you think of before you go to bed.”
And that’s exactly what I found with Mr. Fantabulous. They always say we tend to marry a man just like our Dad and that’s what I did. These two men are so alike it’s almost uncanny. Their humor, their brilliance, their tenacity is truly similar. I tell Mr. Fantabulous all the time that if my father were still alive he would be living with us and that those 2 would be the very best of friends.
So whomever you call Dad, tell them you love them – even if they are no longer around. And to all of your Dad’s out there – you’re our first heroes and our first crushes. Thank you for loving us unconditionally! And with that, enjoy this week’s Weekly Menu!
Monday – Crock Pot Pork Carnitas
Tuesday – Garlic Butter Herbed Crispy Oven Fried Wings
Wednesday – Spaghetti Squash in a Vegetable Mornay
Thursday – Triple B Burgers
Friday – Tuscan Rub Pepperoni Pretzel Bread
Saturday – BBQ Meatloaf Stacks
Sunday – Hot Sausage Stuffed Banana Peppers
Dessert of the week – Cinnamon Swirl Buttermilk Bread
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