***I will receive a gift card, through Social Chorus, on behalf of Outback Steakhouse, in exchange for sharing these memories of my father. Regardless, all personal photos and opinions remain mine, and mine alone. #BestMates #Outbackptr
Momma Told Me: Every little girl should be a princess in their father's eyes.
Okay, so we covered this topic a little in my
Bacon Roses post, but my father really is one outstanding, unique, guy. As the daughter of this man, single the past 10 years, I've had to constantly fight off the women that don't make my approval (I'm very picky, you see, only the best for Daddy!) But in all seriousness, not every young woman has such a great role model to judge the men in her life by. Parents, so often these days, are all-together missing from the picture by the time we reach adulthood. And, when one factors in the rising rate of divorce, which my own parents are a part of, it's hard to define the family unit in such a picturesque nature as we once did. I've said it before, family is not defined by blood; but it is extra special when you are fortunate enough to have 2 parents who exemplify the term, against all circumstances.
Content and/or other value provided by out partner, Outback Steakhouse.
As my readers know well, this blog is primarily about the gems of wisdom Momma provided during my childhood, and continues to furnish through my adult years. However, loyal readers know there are many mentions of my father and how he made my childhood stand out, while remaining a formidable pillar of moral and ethical standards. From the moment I was born my father declined all alcohol, and I assure you (as the man who collected unique beer bottles and cans in college) it was no simple commitment for him. Whenever asked about this, he simply explained that he felt a man with a family had better priorities, and he could wait until I was out of the house to drink, should he want to. My father also worked a 40 hour week from the day I was born to, well, today. He has worked full time with the same company for over 25 years, illustrating to me time and again his strong work ethics and personal moral code. While he works in a service repair industry he is always certain to decline tips or perks many other individuals would have a hard time doing so.
There are so many other things that stand out from my childhood, and memories with my father. I recall, as a very young girl, I would look up to my father so much I'd walk around the house mimicking him pretending to be him at work, or simply carrying around one of his 42oz jugs of ice water. Whenever a client (often at a fast food restaurant) would offer him a free meal or tip he'd kindly decline and mention his daughter at home. I was the most spoiled girl on the block, with ALL of the latest Happy Meal toy collections and all the Soft Serve ice cream I could eat. Then there were the late night game of Hershey Kiss Checkers, or the countless surprise notes he'd leave in between the seams on my lunch baggies and wrappers. Of course, as an adult, I've also made plenty of new memories with my father- most of them involve epic eating. It's hard to believe but, as a teenager, my father would order a second Hoagie (sandwich) for dessert whenever his family would go out to the nearby ice cream parlor. His notorious love of food has raged rampant ever since.
Not only do my father and I have several traditions that revolve around food (including a Chinese food lunch every Valentine's Day and countless trips to 'Endless Shrimp' at Red Lobster), but I've made it a point to create a special cake for him each year, on his birthday. This is a day which just so happens to fall the week before Father's Day. I suppose it all began with a simple enough baseball shaped cake some 7 years back now; that has morphed into a juxtaposition of food shaped cakes. My personal favorite has been a Pizza cake that was actually 2" thick and covered with an assortment of edible toppings (candy coated peanut 'sausage,' black licorice 'olives,' fruit roll up 'pepperoni,' etc), and served in a pizza box. There's also been the Hamburger Cake, BLT (yes, the sandwich, paired with a side of white chocolate dipped potato chips), and a Pinata Cake last year. This year I made one of my pop's favorite candy treats; a Reeses Cake. The cake was actually in 2 parts, the 'wrapper' consisting of cake wrapped in orange fondant, complete with cardboard cup sleeve, and the cups themselves, crafted layer by layer over a week.
When I make these cakes, or anything for my father, there is always a fight over whether they are to be eaten or preserved. My dad still has the candy crafted 'pimento' from his sandwich cake over 3 years ago! I had to convince him to actually cut into the Reese's- that's how proud he was. But I often wonder if he knows just how proud I am of him. Nobody is perfect, and I don't claim he is; I just so happened to get lucky with the 2 most appropriate parents for me, and I couldn't ask for more. (And isn't he handsome for 54, ladies?)
This Father's Day I'll be taking my dad out for a much deserved meal. Outback Steakhouse is offering an extra special incentive for choosing them this Father's Day. After all #BestMates need to enjoy a little plunder down under with some shrimp on the barbie, and a juicy perfect cooked steak, now and then! When you stop in this June 16, 2013 for a meal at your local Outback Steakhouse you'll enjoy a special certificate for $10 off 2 entrees on a future visit. This special Father's Day certificate is only available while supplies last, so be sure to head in early and treat dad! I also want to mention a very cool initiative meant to help support our troops and their families, now through July 4, 2013. All retired and active military personnel can enjoy 10% off their check at Outback Steakhouse. Just another reason to spend an evening Down Under!
What Daughter Says: Here's to another great 25 years with my #BestMate!
