Father's Day Memories

Father's Day is bitter sweet this year.  As many of you know my father passed away last August.

This will be my first Father's Day without him.

This is my father when I was little.

Here he is when HE was little.

When thinking about Father's Day I am reminded of one year long ago when I did not have a gift for my father.  My mother is Australian and did not know about father's day.  So as a last minute gift my friend and I made "Hug Credit Cards" for our fathers.

My credit card was almost the size of a regular  credit card.  On the card I had little boxes where he could demand hugs at any time, but then he had to X the box.  I was about eight at the time.

My father kept that card in his wallet for years.  When I was sixteen we had a fight, and at the end he took out his "Hug Credit Card" and used the last hug.  I could not believe he had kept that card for eight years.  It was all worn, but lovingly protected in a special pocket in his wallet.  It was at that moment I realized how much he treasured the gift I made for him.

Me and my dad at my wedding, July 24, 2009

In honor of my father I made this "Hug Credit Card" for you to print out and give to it your father (or your children's father).  I left it colorless on the front so that you (or your child) can personalize it.

Follow these two links for the printable:

Hug Credit Card Front

Hug Credit Card Back

Since this post is all about dads I have to mention one more.  My step-father was also a very important man in my life.  He taught me how to tie my shoes and fold my toilet paper (yeah I'm a bit strange like that, maybe it is a German thing).

This is my step-father and little brother.

I took this picture on one of the last times I saw him.

At the risk of sounding all cheesy and sentimental: love your dad and tell him often.  Enjoy your dad and hug him often.  They are very important. 

Happy Father's Day!!!