15/06/2017
And lastly, sentimental.
9x12 sign. $45
Many years ago when I was 9, my mom, grandmother and I drove from VA to Puget Sound WA. The trip was amazing, the Grand Canyon, the pools at the hotels, starting a spoon collection from each state we visited (which I still have!) Mt. Rushmore, eating fresh crab legs at Fisherman's Warf,and even Devil's Tower (totally awesome since Close Encounters of the Third Kind was on tv in every hotel!). The bonding and learning things about my family was an added bonus.
As the story goes, in one roadside gift shop I lost my ever living mind and screamed "MOM, I HAVE TO HAVE THIS!" which I'm told was not like me. It was a small plaque with an owl on it and the phrase "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy." In the car I stunned my mom and grandmother by saying "Daddy isn't really my dad, is he?" They shot looks back and forth for a while, and then my mom told me about her first husband, my biological father. To this day I'm not sure that my response of "Ok" was a relief to her or a let down after how delicate she had been in delivering this history lesson.
That was the day I learned that family isn't just blood lines, it's those who love you no matter what.
After many years of being in his office, that little plaque finally broke. I've had most of the bits and pieces sitting here awaiting some attempt at repair. I decided that making one with my own two hands (from cutting to sanding to staining the wood) would be better.
Even when we spent my 4 years of high school only communicating by screaming at each other, he has been there for me since he chose to be my Daddy when I was 2 years old.
In my house we believe that 'lovelines' hold more power over bloodlines.
To my one and only Daddy,
Thank you for loving me, for standing by my side, but mostly, thanks for choosing me!❤️