My Daddy

Today is my Daddy's 57th birthday.

When my Grandma was alive she always liked to remember the things he had done as a child. Like how the priest had a little too much wine when he was baptised and named him Daniella Roberta instead of Daniel Robert. And how he hid under the spider and garden snake infested porch when the expensive photographer came even though he was petrified of spiders and snakes because he hated having his picture taken more.

Then there are the stories that he tells of his teenage years. Like siphoning jet fuel at the airport with his best friend and drag racing their muscle cars down the runway. That one is still my favorite. Crazy kids.

My mother tells how they met at a bar. She was there to pick her older sister up and he was there having a few drinks with his buddies. Whatever it was she saw in him I'm glad she did. He proposed not long after and they were married just after she graduated. He was wild until she told him she was pregnant. He was thrilled and she tells every so often how he wanted a little girl so badly.

Sometimes I wish I could have known him when he was younger. You know, just to see what he was really like. He was popular and funny and everyone enjoyed being around him. I am thankful though for knowing him now. I have wonderful memories of my Daddy. He's still funny and people still like to be around him. But he's also kind, caring and just an all around wonderful man.

Happy birthday Daddy!!! I love you so very much and I hope we get to celebrate many more birthdays together!