On the birthday call last night, Robbie interrupted to share this brief, charming, and humorously typical story of our family…

“Kate, wait, before you go, can I just tell you a quick story…” And so it went. My mom had phoned my dad earlier in the day to ask him if he’d picked up the ice cream cake for Robbie’s birthday. 

Dad - ”Yeah, I did yesterday.”

Mom: “Where is it?”

Dad: “It’s in the trunk.”

Mom: “….”

Mom: “It’s 40 degrees outside…”

Dad: “Hmm, let me check on that… [pause] Well, it’s still there, just a little more spread out than before…”

Well, that’s funny. But the funnier part was that they didn’t toss the melted cake. They didn’t go pick up another cake.

They stuck candles in it and acted like it never happened. Nothing says I love you like some melted Carvel. Sickos. (Still love you though!)

Finding a little light during a hard week. Happy birthday to the most loyal, loving, hard working man I know. An amazing son, husband, and father.

Dad, we are so lucky to have YOU.

I wonder sometimes if anyone envies their parents as much as I envy mine? Just a few snapshots from my parents European/Asian jaunt in September.

Are they not the sweetest looking couple you’ve ever seen?

Happy 27th Anniversary to the craziest kids best parents a girl could ask for. Cheers to many more wonderful years together.

Love you more than all the sand on the beach. And then some.

Just the cutest parents in the world. That’s all.

My Dad. Daddy. Seems funny to call your father Daddy when you are twenty-four years old, but that’s what he is and always will be. The wonderful man who is always on my team. Building me up and patting me on the back. A selfless, caring, compassionate father who will go to the ends of the earth for the people he loves and… just about everyone else because that’s who he is.

I was feeling blue that I couldn’t be with him to spend some quality father-daughter time this weekend, but the reality was that although I wasn’t home, he wasn’t either. He had driven 3 hours at the request of a friend to help install floors in his buddy’s new Cape cottage… just because he can. Because he’s thoughtful and kind and generous. That’s my Daddy.

We’ll catch up on the QT in a week and half on that porch in the picture. Watch the sunset and listen to the waves and good classic rock tempered by the crickets. Go firefly hunting and relax with a Corona or four (because he also knows how to have a really good time, don’t ya, Dad? You’ve taught me well.) Love you.