4 Things I TOTALLY Stole from My Dad

Happy Father’s Day, ya’ll! If you’re a dad and reading this, I hope you get the big piece of chicken today…lol. My dad doesn’t eat chicken nor does he celebrate any holidays (he’s a Jehovah’s Witness) but I still try and sneak in some sort of sentiment his way. I usually try to do a Mother’s Day and a Father’s Day post every year because my parents are up there in age and I’d like for them to read these kind of posts while they still can, plus my relationships with my parents have chaaaaaaaanged so much over the years.

My mom used to drive me up a wall (I probably do the same to her…lol) but now she’s my homey and my ace. I never really had “beef” so to speak with my dad but I guess I assumed I should have had beef with him when I was younger since my parents divorced when I was very young and I guess I was conditioned by society to believe the fault fell on my dad because he’s a man. He’s always been around through—shoot, he always lived right around the corner when I was growing up and was still there for fatherly duties. But over the years I’ve really come to know him and he’s a SUPER outstanding guy. And in hanging around him more over the last—I guess ten years or so—I’ve come to notice that I’m SO much like him. Like I might have stolen part of his identity (hmmm, maybe I’ll get a mortgage in his name, too…lol. JUST KIDDING) because there’s so much of him in me. And because I’m always an advocate for fostering better relationships with your parents no matter how old you are (it’s tough, I know. BOY do I know), I wanted to share this post with you guys. Even though the main premise of this post is stuff I stole from him…lol.

At my niece’s high school graduation a few years ago

1. Being the mayor

No, I don’t mean the actual office of the mayor. You know when someone is running for mayor they’re being SUPER approachable and chatting up everybody like they’re extended members of their family? That’s my dad. My dad is ALWAYS chatting somebody up and cracking jokes. Even strangers. And you wanna know what—I do this, too! I didn’t even realize I stole this from him until the last few weeks since I’ve been in the process of buying a new car. I took my dad along with me throughout the process and every single person we came in contact with my dad greeted them, made some sort of joke or said some sort of pleasantry, and people loved it. You’d think my dad was the dealership owner the way he was working the room…lol. But I do this stuff, too. I’m always asking someone how their day went, striking up small talk—I mean everything short of shaking hands and kissing babies…lol. Sure, some people might think we’re out of our minds but who cares. We’re having a good time…lol.

2. His sense of style

OK—this is something I only got a small percentage of because my daddy is SHARP, girl. S-H-A-R-P. Like three-piece suit accessorized down to the socks sharp. I’m a little more casual in my style of dress but there’s no doubt I got my love of fashion from my dad. I also think my love of menswear-inspired clothing comes from watching my dad. I also permanently borrowed his old army jacket that has GRAY written on it. I just need to get it taken in so it fits perfectly and I’m SO rocking it.

Video from my Snapchat

3. His sense of humor

Seriously, my whole family is funny. Like we could have our own Def Comedy Jam at family gatherings. There have been times I have laughed so hard my head felt like it split open in the back because I was laughing at something someone in my family said. But my dad is definitely the ringleader in the jokes. He ALWAYS has some sort of one-liner and I know I definitely get my funny-side and quick wit from him.

ONLY in my family could I get away with making jokes like this…lol

Video from my Snpachat. I’m in the process of buying a new car and my dad has been involved in the process since day one.

4. His driving skills

I started driving at age 16. I can’t remember if I went to driver’s ed first or my dad but I know I DEFINITELY had some driving lessons from my dad before I got my official drivers license. Almost two decades later (sheesh, time flies) I’ve definitely noticed that I still kinda drive like him. We both get annoyed the same way at idiots on the road (which includes hurling insults that they’ll never actually hear…lol). We both have impeccable reaction times and defensive driving skills. And even now that I’ve been driving almost twenty years, my dad is STILL in many ways trying to teach me how to drive…lol. You know, the kind of thing when someone gets in your car as the passenger and makes all these motions and yells out as if they’re driving. You know, when you kinda want to just pull over and tell them to get out but they’re your dad and kinda old and skinny so you’d feel bad if you did…lol.

The two amazing people who raised me. My mom and dad back in Trinidad

I definitely grew up spending more time with my mom since I lived with her but it’s amazing how much of my dad I’ve adopted. I’m so glad I’m not that young girl trying to shut him out because I assumed he was to blame for the divorce. He’s an outstanding guy who loves his daughters and would do anything to help and protect them. I’m so proud that he’s my dad :)

What are some things you “stole” from your dad? Tell me in the comments!