Yes....I'm a daddy's girl for sure. I've always adored my dad & though I am 52 I will still be, no matter how old I am. You see, he was my very first valentine. I was born when my dad was at college in Boston & it was a long haul for my parents with a small family & dental school ahead. No matter how difficult it got with my mom working full time & my dad working & going to school, I always felt completely loved & doted on. It helped of course that my grandparents were my daycare. :) My dad gradutated from Tufts with two small children & one more on the way & eventually our family became 7. Five kids & two awesome parents. I saw my father put him self through school, start a practice, become a doting, wonderful dad to his kids & be there when tragedy struck both myself & my sister when we were married & starting our own families. My sister & I both lost husbands at a very young age, one to illness & another to an accident. My dad quietly stepped in as stand in dad for my young daughter & my sisters two very young girls. There were always cards for us on valentines day, birthdays & mothers day for us, sent just from him with a special note for us. When I re-married he stepped aside quietly & let my husband take over with those thoughtful acts. He is the guy that takes my nieces to the dentist (he retired) & the orthodontist & is always just a phone call away from something my sister needs him to do. He does things quietly & with lots of love. His children adore him & his grandkids & great grandkids do too . He's mellowed a lot & is putty in his grandchildrens hands. He was a body builder & was quite the imposing site for a patient who was about to have a tooth pulled. (Can you imagine your dentist with 20 inch biceps coming towards you?) He was also just as strict as he was loving & many times my sister & I had our dates peel out of the driveway hastily if we got home even 5 minutes late.! ! LOL! I always felt completely loved & protected as a child & I still do thanks to him......my first valentine.
Handsome Groom
Paratrooper
This picture is 15 years old & my kids are grown now, but this is one of my favorite photos of my dad & my kids~All his grandkids adore him.
My dad, my sister & moi~He's our very first valentine & always will be.
I loved reading this post. It brought a smile to my face. A truly real & inspiring Valentine story.
Wendy
Posted by: Wendy | February 10, 2009 at 02:35 PM
What a lovely Valentine post Chris!
So sweet!
I loved reading it.
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | February 10, 2009 at 02:39 PM
God bless your dad, he's the best!
Posted by: MaryAnn | February 10, 2009 at 03:30 PM
What a sweet post. I loved my daddy too! I miss him every day.
Your dad was and still is a very good looking man. I wouldn't mind having him walking towards me as I sat in that dental chair. LOL
Hugs,
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne Kennedy | February 10, 2009 at 04:37 PM
This is the sweetest post! I am in love with your dad. What a wonderful father and husband. Give him a Valentines Day Kiss from me please. I really miss my dad....
xo,
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio & The Comforts of Home | February 10, 2009 at 08:01 PM
Chris ~ what a beautiful post! You are so lucky to still have your Dad. Cherish him this Valentine's Day! ~Stacy~ xo
Posted by: Stacy | February 10, 2009 at 11:23 PM
What a wonderful way to honor your Dad. I very much miss mine. Ya made me cry too early in the morning.
Posted by: ~ ~AHRISHA~ ~at JoyouslyLivingLife | February 11, 2009 at 05:46 AM
I feel absolutely the same way about my Dad...he is just the best, most loving, kind man.
Janet
Posted by: janet | February 11, 2009 at 05:47 AM
This is such a beautiful post. I know this must bless your dad's heart to know that he did the most important job so well. To still hold your heart after all these years is amazing! I am having a huge giveaway...come on over.
Posted by: Jeanne | February 11, 2009 at 07:41 AM
What a wonderful tribute to your Dad. My Dad had been gone now for 5 years.... He was my 1st Valentine too!!
Hugs, Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn | February 11, 2009 at 08:15 AM
What a handsome man your dad is. I can see why he's is your Valentine.
Ciao
Posted by: Glenda | February 11, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Chris
I just loved your post. What a wonderful man your father is.
Lisa
www.palepinkandroses.com
www.palepinkandroses.typepad.com
Posted by: Lisa | February 11, 2009 at 02:55 PM
Awwww Chris!!! made me cry! Lucky You..for still having your dad! Mine has been gone a long time & I still miss him so! Mom said he used to carry me on my own little pillow!
So YEA for daddys girls:)
Hes very handsome too!!
Happy Valentimes Day Sweets:)
Hugs..
Deb:)
Posted by: DEBBIE GARRETT | February 11, 2009 at 06:35 PM
What a wonderful post! Thanks for sharing!
Catherine
Posted by: Catherine Haugland | February 12, 2009 at 10:07 AM
Chris,
This is such a sweet post on your Dad! Love the wedding picture! Happy Valentines to you & your wonderful Dad!
Posted by: Vicki Pink Pearl Girl | February 12, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Sweet friend....what a beautiful post and a wonderful Dad you have. How fortunate you have been to have such a supportive and close family, there to hold each~other up through life's hard times and celebrating the good times. Give your Dad a long distance hug from me and Happy Valentines Day! ~xoxo~ Fufu
Posted by: Janet (Shabbyfufu) | February 14, 2009 at 07:31 AM
Wow! Awesome post! How lucky you are!!!!
M ^..^
Posted by: M | February 14, 2009 at 04:25 PM
What a lovely post! Happy Valentine's Day to you and your dad!
Posted by: Ivonne | February 14, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Dearest Chris, this was so very touching..Your father sounds amazing... How lucky you were to have him in such trying time in your life.
God Bless you angel friend and your loving dad!
JO
Posted by: Jo-Anne | February 15, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Chris, what a sweet post. I can see the resemblance in you all. Happy President's Day and thanks so much for always stopping by, Theresa
Posted by: Theresa-Garden Antqs Vintage | February 16, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Hi Chris! Popping over for a visit :) Loved this post, your parents were GORGEOUS movie stars! Loved the kitchen too....Hope Fl comes soon for you, I dread summer,I'v always loved the cold, how did I end up here! Hugs till next time, Kimberly
Posted by: Kimberly Ryan | February 18, 2009 at 10:30 PM
That is a very sweet tribute to your father. :)
Posted by: tattingchic | February 21, 2009 at 09:12 PM
This post made me cry Chris! What a wonderful Father you have. He is quite the handsome man. You can tell him I said so! LOL
Miss you!!! Life is getting to busy for my britches. I'll check in with you more. Hope you've been good.
xoxo
Rox
Posted by: Roxie | February 26, 2009 at 04:27 PM
What a sweet sweet story... I love it! The three of you looks so much alike.... you can tell you're kin...
cielo
Posted by: cielo | March 02, 2009 at 01:03 PM
Uppp, I didn't get the chance to add my site... come visit me!
www.houseinroses.blogspot.com
cielo
Posted by: cielo | March 02, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Oh Cris,
What a great Dad, you are so lucky.My Dad was not that great, but I picked a Husband who is a wonderful Dad.
Beverly
Posted by: Beverly | March 15, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Hi Ms.Lucy,
So nice to meet you!! I was looking through my old magazines over the weekend and I re-read the editorial on you and thought I'd pop in for a visit. I have a couple things to say to you... Your blog is easy on the eyes, and the story regarding your first valentine was so endearing. It made me feel so warm and fuzzy! You, your children, and your mother are blessed. I can see kindness and love in your father's eyes. I am so glad that your father was there for you and your sister. Thank you for a lovely visit and I will definately be back. Enjoy your day Lucy.
~ Stephanie Bradley
my blog- thespanishdahlia.typepad.com
Posted by: Stephanie Bradley | March 30, 2009 at 09:14 AM