Some Things You Should Know

Dear Sam,

Today is your Dad's 29th birthday and I thought this would be a good opportunity to share some things about your dad.

1.) The brick rule. (He is famous for this one)

This rule was established when we were building our house. After signing the papers you make an appointment at the design center to choose things like what color you want the walls, carpet, tile, etc and what brick you want on the outside. Throughout the entire appointment he kept saying "whatever you want" "sure that looks good". Until we got to the brick. He had definite ideas on what color brick the house should be and in his mind since he didn't have an opinion on anything else his should count double on the brick. Most of the time he is happy to go with the flow and 99% of the time when he says "what ever you want" he means it. It really doesn't matter what restaurant we eat at, or what color we paint the family room. As long as his ladies are happy he's happy. But when he has an opinion, he really has an opinion. Hence what we call the brick rule. The brick rule has been applied only in a few situations - what he wore in our wedding (Tommy Bahama shirt), what color we painted the nursery, what we named you, and what cars we buy (car shopping - yuk!). I'm sure there are a few others but nothing comes to mind right now.



2.) The cleanest hands around


Basically your dad is a bit of a germa-phobe. He has gotten a little better since having you but is not completely cured. Some things your dad just won't touch - the magazine on an airplane or in a doctor's office, a hand rail on a public staircase or escalator, buttons on the elevator (the knuckle is used to select the floor), the handle on a shopping cart with anything other than the edge of his palm, and, if he can help it at all, the nozzle you pump gas with. He eats ribs and wings with only 2 fingers getting dirty. He has 2 jars of pens on his desk - those he uses and those that people coming into his office can use. (In his defense on this one he does have a lot of vendors in his office that might be dirty or germy - Ack!) He rarely goes barefoot, even in the house and before climbing into bed he will rub the soles of his feet together to possibly rid any dirt he can from his feet before he lays down. The scarier part - it's rubbing off on me! I catch my self using my knuckle in elevators and rubbing my feet together before climbing into bed. I'll have to keep an eye on you...



3.) Patience, patience, and then some more patience


He has the most patience of anyone I know. Almost every room in our house has been painted and most of the time he has started painting no less than 3 times before I am ok with the color. And he still loves me.



4.) If you are going to get stuck in somewhere other than civilization he's your guy.



Man vs. Wild, Survivorman, and Seconds from Disaster are some of his favorite shows. Before we were actual grown-ups with a mortgage and responsibilities he would have jumped at the chance to be on Survivor. Not for the million bucks (although that would be nice) but for the chance to live out in the wild. It's crazy, I know. And I can't even stomach watching those shows; but in an emergency he's the man.



5.) He is so excited to be a Dad.



He was ready for you years ago but waited around until I thought I could actually handle a small human being entirely dependent on me. And all of the times during the pregnancy and after you arrived that I thought there was no way I could do this he no only reassured me that I could but really made me believe that somehow we would all survive. I have to credit him with the fact that I think I am holding my own as a mom. Since before you were a twinkle in his eye he would talk about taking you camping, and coaching your teams. He's talked about teaching you the game of golf and creating special traditions with you and teaching you right from wrong and even what he will do when you try to wear something you shouldn't or bend the rules a little.



6.) He is your even keeled parent.



I have a temper and have a tendency to get slightly emotional (understatement of the year). He can see big picture. He'll look past the temper that you may have inherited from your mother and see though the tears and cursing (me not you) and get you to take a breath. After that he will probably ask you the question that (almost) always works on me "What is the worst that can happen?"

I could go on like this forever but no one else really wants to read all about your Dad's quirks that make him so lovable and us so lucky to have him. Just know that you have the best Dad in the whole world. And that he makes your mom a much better person than she would ever be without him.

Love,

Mom

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you so much!