If you know me, even in the slightest, you know that my dad is my best friend. Each time he visits from Ohio is always an adventure that usually ends up encompassing everything from my roommates to late night Munchers trips. This weekend marked an extra special trip for us because I got to take my dad to his first KU basketball game where we wore matching t-shirts and I even made a sign. I was also able to convince him to change his flight home from Sunday to Monday (thanks Delta for not charging him anything!). Saying goodbye is never easy, but it just reminds me how lucky I am.
There’s not doubt that I’m one of the luckiest girls in the world to have the kind of relationship that I do with my dad, so here’s nine perks that will maybe convince you to go that extra step with your dad.
(I never said he was photogenic)
1. You get to share. I get to share my favorite place with my favorite person. He gets to stay in MY apartment, run around MY town and root for MY school. You’re finally becoming your own person with your own things and it’s cool to be able to share that with him just like he shared his favorite sports teams and secrets for sneaking food in to the movies with you.
2. You don’t have to wear makeup. Your dad has seen you through diapers, your first time wearing eyeliner and the oh so unforgettable hair phases. There’s no prep time required because he doesn’t care about that, he just wants to spend time with you. So it doesn’t matter if you’re going to the movies or a nice dinner, you can actually rub your eyes!
(He’s even seen you through the awkward high school dance pictures)
3. Maintenance. Need a new picture hung on the wall? Help setting up a new TV? That’s exactly what he was hoping. Your dad loves to feel needed and there’s no way you could hang that picture straight to save your life. It’s a win-win. In a less physical sense, being close with your dad means that he can do maintenance on your life, too. The best advice I’ve ever been given has come from my dad and if I had a dime for every time I said “You were right,” I’d be able to pay KU’s out of state tuition ten times over.
4. Any guy would be lucky to have you. Having a dad for a best friend makes you the crown jewel of the dating scene. You probably watch sports with your dad, can stand the taste of beer and can eat for days (or at least openly admit it). Guys nowadays are so intimidated by the women striving to look like Kim K that the girl-who-can-hang-with-the-guys is a rare commodity they all will get in line for.
5. Free Food. Free Groceries. Free Everything! We all know that money isn’t everything (except for when you’re in college). I usually create the food itinerary for my dad’s visits at least two to three weeks before he hits town and have the grocery list in Wunderlist faster than you can say “One less thing to budget for.” It’s probably still polite to offer to pay, but we all know that this saving grace will allow you to budget for a social life and eat regularly for a few days.
6. Having a beer together. What could be better than kicking back with your dad at BWW’s or submerging him in all that his the Hawk (my dad even made it to the BoomBoom Room)? Your dad was in college once, too, show him how YOU turn up. You’d be surprised how much fun you have, my roommates love going out with my dad. *Disclaimer: Do NOT try to go drink for drink with him or ANY of this friends.*
7. The Hugs. The Laughs. Everyone knows the pure comfort of a dad’s hug. The stronger the relationship, the better the hugs. Think about it. Combined with the inside jokes you’ve had since you were ten, there’s nothing better.
8. He can always teach you things. This weekend my dad taught me how to use a hand mixer, when the TV time outs are in college basketball and how to snag bar seats in a completely full restaurant. No matter how old you are, there’s always something he can teach you and hopefully you’ll find a way hold on to it forever. These are the things that will truly last throughout your lifetime.
9. He’s the only one you’ve got and he’s the one man you can count on to never leave. We only get one dad and your relationship with him can have such an enormous impact on your life, even as you’re establishing yourself. I can’t reiterate how lucky I am to have a dad that supports me to the fullest and loves me for who I am and I know I wouldn’t be at KU without him. I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without him.
My dad and I at the KU/K-State game on January 31st, 2015.