Happy Birthday Dad

Today is the other important birthday I want to touch on. My daughter’s was yesterday and my dad’s is today. He turns 71.

I know everyone, most everyone that is, says their dad is the best, but my dad is better than anyone else’s dad. It’s true. I’m sorry if this bursts anyone’s bubble, but it’s a fact. He’s been there for everything in my life and my brothers lives. He’s always been around. He’s never missed a game, event, wedding, graduation or any other important moment in our lives. He’s even there for the unimportant moments. My dad was my coach growing up. He taught me how to play sports. He taught me how to lose and win. He taught me how to react in those scenarios. He showed me how to play catcher in baseball. Then when I wanted to play third, he taught me the proper way to do that. It was the same with pitching. In basketball, when I was a small kid, he taught me how to dribble and pass like a guard. As I thickened up a bit he taught me how to rebound, box out and tip shots back in. He always had me play sports with older kids to hone my skills. When I finally got to high school and my folks let me play football, he helped me to learn how to properly tackle and play fast.

My dad also helped with things outside of sports. My dad gave me the sex talk. I’m sure he was sick of doing it, me being the fourth kid, but he did it anyway. He helped me when I struggled with geometry and chemistry in high school. After I flunked out of two colleges, both of which my parents footed the bill, he helped me with my third try, even though I was paying for it. I passed school with a 4.0 then. When I met my wife he would constantly tell me to marry her. When I said I was going to propose his response was, “it’s about damn time”. He gave a tremendous toast at our rehearsal dinner. He was a blast at the wedding. He’s been an excellent and involved papa to his four grand kids.

As I’ve gotten older my favorite thing to do is go get coffee with my dad. We go out once a week to a local shop, just him and I, and we shoot the breeze over some cold brew. It’s my favorite thing. I look forward to it every week. It’s so awesome to have this one on one time with my dad. I can complain about things and he lets me vent. We talk sports and it’s great. We even have debates about coffee now, as if I even know what I’m talking about. He’s helped to get me more involved in politics and science. These coffee dates are the cherry on top of the pie.

My dad is my absolute best friend. I don’t think I’d be where I am right now if it weren’t for both of my parents. They get me. But my dad and I have a very special bond. When my wife and I chose to live in Saint Louis it was so we could be close to our folks. I love you dad. Enjoy your dad. You’ve earned it. Happy birthday to the GOAT.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Time for a Dad Hat

I have made no bones about how much I love being a dad, and a stay at home parent on this site, and on our pod. It is the best job in the world, I get to dress however in the hell I want, I don't mind the stares, or the "it is so nice of you to give mom a day off" comments, I love being there for major milestones, it is amazing. But, there are some things that I have successfully been able to avoid that are cliché dad things.

What stuff? Things like mowing the lawn and admiring it. Sure, I mow the lawn, but it is more for the workout than looking at a freshly shorn lawn. I like to grill, but I do not consider myself an expert griller, I don't have my own tongs, and I ask for help from anyone willing to give advice. I used to wear cargo shorts, back in my high school days, but I have not since revisited that in my years as a dad. I actually wear Columbia all weather type shorts now. They're great, and I love that they have built in netting so I can swim in them, and then continue my day without having to switch to cargo shorts. I also don't have too much to carry around anymore, just my keys, wallet and phone. So, I don't need cargo shorts. I am very proud to say that I have never, nor will I ever, wear New Balance shoes. Look, my dad wears them, I'm sure one, if not all three, of my brothers wear them (ed note: Hell no I do not wear New Balance), and I know that I have at home dad friends that wear them as well. I just don't like them on a personal level. I think they look too bulky, the few pairs I have tried on were very uncomfortable, they have no flash and I don't think they are as good a running shoe as some would like me to believe. I'm an Altra man as I stated awhile back.

But, I did finally cave to a dad trope yesterday. One I have actually avoided for a bit now, but I finally gave in, and I have to say, I love it.

I got my first "dad hat". For those that may not know, a "dad hat" is made of a material akin to a cotton shirt, they are distressed, they have an open back, but it is not a snapback, and you really only see dad's, or people that look like dad's, wearing them. I almost bought one at a Run the Jewels show a few years back, but I hesitated. I wish I hadn't, because that hat was dope as hell. But, now that I am a Suns fan I decided that I needed some team gear. I went on Amazon, found a great deal on a Suns hat, and it just happened to be a "dad hat". I bought it, and waited for it to arrive. It got here yesterday, and I immediately put it on my head and was astounding at how much I liked the feel and fit. It was just perfect. I love the distressed feel. It feels like I have worn it for awhile. It didn't need the breaking in that a snap back or fitted hat needs. The back was way, way better than I expected. I am a fitted hat fan way more than snapback, so this was my biggest concern. But to have the material be the same as the hat, unlike a snapback that is plastic, is great. You don't feel it push into the back of your head like a snap back. The bill was already bent like I like it, so that was another plus. And the look, I love. It fits almost too good. I have not taken it off since I got it, except when I eat meals, or go to bed. I even wore it backwards a ton yesterday and today, and that is great. I used to wear hats backwards a lot when I was a kid, but as I get older, I am more prone to wear my hat forward. But with the "dad hat", wearing it backwards was great. It has a good look. The slouch makes it look fine, at least to me. It was awesome.

So, while I have denied, and will continue to deny, that I am getting older, and turning more and more into a father everyday, including "dad hat's" and dad jokes now, I have to say that this is one thing I am happy to take on as a dad and older guy now. "Dad hat's" rule, and if you are older and on the fence about buying one, don't. You will love it. I know I love mine.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Up next for Ty’s dad life? How about a copy of Sports by Huey Lewis and the News?

SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.