Over the years Father’s Day has been a second tier holiday in my family. We never did anything big for my father and he never expected any gifts. He was happy with being in the presence of his family and that was more than enough for him. Even in society, Father’s Day takes a back seat to Mother’s Day in all aspects of the holiday. Sure our fathers did not carry us in their womb for 9 months, but that doesn’t mean they should have to be relegated to the forgotten sibling status of holidays. Not only do many families place less importance on Father’s Day than on Mother’s Day, in addition, companies don’t spend nearly the same ad budget on the two holidays. Furthermore, the time frame to which Father’s Day is spoken about is also significantly shorter in length than Mother’s Day. To my pleasant surprise, this year seems to be different. Maybe it’s because I’m more aware of things or maybe it’s because of the increased exposure social media has brought to everything. I do know one thing: I want to get my father a real gift this year, something that will make him proud to have me for his son. I will be a father one day and I can only hope that my children revere me in the same way I respect and love my father. My gift to him this year will not only be my presence, but this editorial. As a young man who’s been lucky enough to be raised by both of his parents for the full extent of his life, I am truly blessed to have a family like mine. So this blog is not only for my father, but for anyone who has been as blessed as I am to have such an amazing support system over the span of their lives as I did. My father was the original confident, metro, male before it was chic. He worked as a cosmetic’s buyer at Saks Fifth Avenue and lived a high pace lifestyle that few ever get to experience. From parties with designers and models to being the guy that did not even need to be on a list at a nightclub, my father did it all. He was the guy everyone knew and wanted to be around. Immaculately polished from head to toe, my father always kept himself properly groomed and decked out in the latest fashions and styles. He was a socialite, the portrait of today’s modern metro-sexual. My parents have both worked steady jobs that have had them on the run for years and just working forty hours a week was almost nonexistent to them. But they were always home for dinner, around for every birthday and weekends in Connecticut. My father lives his life for his children and his family. Money was not an issue if it meant his family was happy and satisfied. Family is everything to him and I could only hope to be half as selfless as he is in my life. The joy he gets from giving and doing things for others is seen daily (except for when its his turn to clean the kitchen). He was always there to drive me and my brothers to a friend’s house, be the taxi driver to and from train/bus stations and be the soccer dad during our years of intramural sports. From Armani to Land’s End, my father has played every part in his life for others. On holidays and birthdays when asked what he would like for a gift, he would say “World Peace”. He had everything he needed and tomorrow will be no different. So when I head back home, I will not only surprise him with my presence, but with the gift of praise and gratitude that this blog cannot even start to express. I ask all of you reading this to take a moment and think of your fathers and all they have done to get you to where you are today. Go the extra mile this Father’s Day, and thank your Dad for all that he has done for you. So here’s to my father and all of the fathers out there who have lived their lives for their families, this one’s for you Pa!
