June 20, 2021

One week ago, I wished my dad a very happy Father’s Day on Instagram. Oops. He graciously sent me a message saying that, nope, I was a week early but he appreciated it all the same.

The funniest part of this story? My dad was on Instagram. He doesn’t do social media. Like at all. He never has and he truly doesn’t get the point “why the hell would anyone want to see pictures of what I do” and- let’s be honest, in a macro sense he makes a damn good point. And yet? He has IG and follows one person: me. And he checks my story. Every. Single. Day. And I find that real sweet and it’s a mini example of the things my dad will do for his kids.

This picture is him and me, two years ago, just arrived in Cuba. We were on a walk around Havana. We get hustled into this little flat and I begin to try to negotiate cigar prices (sidebar: I don’t smoke cigars) and the man asks if I’m Italian. This happened a lot in Cuba and my dad (who from when I was super little always encouraged me to speak Spanish) both smiles and cringes each time. Anyway. The whole thing was fun and funny and definitely a ‘tourist trap’ thing to do and yet he did it anyway cause that’s the kind of easygoing support and love he’s always given in abundance.

Being a father and the role of a father has changed drastically over the past century or so. I am so beyond fortunate to have a role model in my life who taught me everything from changing a tire to good comedic timing when being sarcastic to what it means to be truly loyal (to family, to friends, to values).

My dad is consistent and steady and rarely raises his voice. He is funny (actually he’s hilarious) and ridiculously smart and he taught me the moral compass between right and wrong and what integrity truly looks like.

Happy Father’s Day dad, I’m so lucky to have you always. Boom, boom 💥