I love my Dad.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY Dad!!!
Haha, this is my crazy dad with his chocolate birthday cake in Newport. He's just like a big kid isn't he?! I love that about him!

My dad is maybe the craziest, most passionate about anything he's passionate about kind of guy. Seriously, look out, if he's on a roll, he'll talk to you about whatever it is he's passionate about at that moment, and let me warn you, it won't be in a calm manner. We're talking standing up, hands flailing, red in the face, raised voice and I gotta say, although there have been times this has driven me crazy, I love his passion more than anything.

He's a Fox News, Meet the Press, Rush Limbaugh junkie. He can't sit still, works out twice a day even in his 50s, makes obnoxious drum and beat box noises with his fingers and mouth in the car, at the dinner table, oi vei, you name it, but in the end he has this infectious energy that just makes you love him and being around him (most of the time :)). He's the King of all dorks, and proud of it (if you stop by eastvale, you'll frequently catch him in crocs and socks!) and I love him with all my heart.

Okay, now onto the sappy stuff....

I may have written this in your card, Dad, but in case you don't already know, you are the person that I turn to with all of my most important life decisions. Throughout my life so far, whether it was the start of a new school year, deciding what classes to take, deciding what college to go to, deciding whether or not to keep playing basketball year after year, deciding whether or not to go to grad school, trying to figure out what to do with my life post graduation, you have always been the first person I think to turn to when I am looking for some sound life advice. You are my life compass and there isn't anyone in this world that I enjoy talking about life choices with more than you.

Whether I want to talk about something really simple or something new and exciting - you have this way of making me feel like I am the most important and interesting person in the world. You always take a genuine interest in whatever I am telling you and ask me questions that show me that you are really hearing what I am saying. I can't tell you how helpful our conversations at the dinner table or over the phone have been, nor can I thank you enough for always taking the time to talk to me about whatever is on my mind.

I'm not sure if you'll remember this or not, but one of my fondest memories with you was the night before I started 6th grade. I remember sleeping upstairs on the couch in the living room that night because I was feeling a little anxious. And I remember you came out to sit with me before I fell asleep and I told you that I was a little nervous, and you gave me this great pep talk about how the best years of my life were about to come and how although getting older also meant starting to get more serious about school, it would also mean tons of new fun experiences. I remember going to bed that night feeling inspired and excited instead of scared and nervous.

This was not the first or last time that I came to you with some form of fear or trepidation in my heart and by sitting with me, talking with me, sharing some experience with me, you helped to erase that fear, replacing it with inspiration and hope for all that lies ahead.

And I think when it comes down to it, it's no wonder at all, that you have filled me with hope and inspiration countless times in my life, because that is just the kind of man that you are - a hopeful one.

You look at the world and see endless opportunity and possibility, and I count my lucky stars that I get to have that example in my life every day.

I love you Dad, Happy Father's Day!