Father's Day

When Mom says no, you can always count on Dad to say yes. That's why dads are great: they are loving, supportive, and always on your side.

And what do they get in return? An open palm, waiting for money or car keys, or anything really.

My anything was ice cream. My dad will never let me live down the time when I was just a toddler and he treated me to some ice cream, but making me promise not to tell Mom, that it was our little secret. Sure enough, as soon as we returned home I threw him right under the bus. Yes, that's how I returned the favor. I guess the Queens of the Stone Age were right, the art of keeping a secret is lost. Sorry about that, Dad! ["Lost Art of Keeping a Secret"]

As I grew up, there was much less tattling on my dad and much more testing him. My dad loves music too, and watching MTV at the gym in the mornings would keep him up-to-date on the latest music; sometimes he would even know a song or artist before I did! Listening to the radio in the car became a game of who knew more, and each time someone had knowledge over the other, a jolt of victory would wash over and "All I do is Win" would be their theme song for a few minutes until the next round. But catching an "old" song from a few months ago was not acceptable; the station would have to be changed to find a more suitable challenge, a better auditory option.

This Father's Day, the perfect auditory option for my dad is not "old," but a throwback to his favorite: Bruce Springsteen, "Born to Run."

And really, who better to represent Father's Day than The Boss, himself?

So make sure your dad is the boss today. Let him control the remote without anyone complaining; let him go golfing or fishing (heck, if my dad could do both at the same time, he would!), let him relax and let him know how much you care by "surprising" him with that oh-so-original Father's Day present - a tie.

Even though I can't celebrate with my dad today, it doesn't change the fact that I am incredibly thankful and appreciative that he has always been there for me. Whether it was rushing home to sit through hours of (sometimes painful) band concerts or dance recitals just to see me perform for a few minutes, or encouraging me and helping me figure out my life post-college, I have always been able to rely on my dad for the perfect balance of love, guidance, the sometimes-necessary reality check, and teaching me how to "stay(in) alive."

Thanks, Dad. You might have been born to run, but just like we used to play on the beach, I am running in your footsteps.

Happy Father's Day!!