Favorite Photo Friday -- Flashback

Last Friday was mom's turn, so yep! today it's all about me and my dad! First of all, I love this picture. I am not one of those people that remembers the little details of their childhood. I remember bits and pieces here and there, and the rest of the story I rely on old pictures to tell. I love this particular picture because of the way my dad is looking at me. As a girl, is their anyone in our lives whose attention and love we desire more than our father's? I think not. Not in my life anyway.
My relationship with my dad is so different than mine with my mom. My mom and I are obvious. We love each other loudly, if you will. We talk on the phone every day, see each other at least twice a week and we basically say whatever we are thinking or feeling and just go with it. Not so with my dad.
Now, my dad is not an emotional guy. Never been one to wear his heart on his sleeve, or be real expressive. More of a "man's man" in that area. But, my dad loves deeply -- I am convinced of this because I feel it. Not because he showers me with words of affection, but because when I need him... HE SHOWS UP. Always has.
In highschool he never missed a game or a track meet. (he was also the loudest guy in the stands). He even danced (on stage) with me when I was in dance club my Senior year..."Come to Papa". Good times -- it is all captured on video! Anyhoo,
After highschool I was busy being a rebellious twenty-something...living on my own for the first time. I remember him just showing up at my apartment, out of the blue, because he "hadn't seen me in 2 weeks" and he was wonderin how I was.
Now that I am all grown up ( I use that term loosely), he is still showing up. Last year we had a health scare with Lily. We were back and forth to the doctor's office, trying to figure out what was wrong with our little girl. It lasted about a week, and one night we drove to the emergency room because we didn't know what else to do. It was late. I was terrified and couldn't stop crying. I had no idea what was going to happen with my baby! And, who showed up?? Yup. dad did. I remember feeling overwhelmed by him at that moment. He didn't say anything much...just wanted to check and see how Lily was. But, I just wanted to cry because at that moment I knew how deep his love for me and my little girl runs.
Taking us to lunch on Sunday afternoons; watching Lily on the occasional Friday night so that Jay and I can get out alone; these are just things that my dad does, cuz he is my dad. He is a great man and I love, respect, and admire him for so many reasons, but mostly because he has always been someone I can count on to be there for me, to support me, to love me in his quiet way and I am so thankful that he just keeps showin' up.