the man from the forest

Dear Dad,

You've always been a captivating storyteller, usually leaving people laughing, shedding a tear, or both. People love to listen to you talk. With that being said, it's your turn to be the audience. I want to tell you a very important story about someone who has shaped me into who I am today. I want you to hear every word and feel every sentiment in this story. So sit back and relax while I tell the story of you.

This story is about a man who happens to my father, who happens to be my hero. But he's much more interesting than that...

Meet my dad, Keith. His name means man from the forest. Spend some time with him and you'll be convinced he isn't like the rest of 'em. You'll think "maybe he was raised by wolves? He's got the howl down just right..." He is high-energy, playful, young at heart but when he is determined, he is unyeilding.

Growing up, my dad would take my sisters and I to explore the forest behind our house and tell us stories of his childhood running through those same trees. You see, my dad has lived in the same place his whole life. He has spent the last three decades living in the log home he built nextdoor to his parents and childhood home. The log home that I grew up in. The home that we almost lost through the divorce. The one that my father saved by tenaciously pleading with the judge. He won that case so we didn't need to leave home and move into an apartment. So we could keep on growing and learning in that forest just as he had.

After my mom left, we endured some really tough times together. Divorce can be messy. Working to make ends meet as a single father raising three girls? Even messier. But he wouldn't have it any other way and he made sure we knew that.

Mr. Mom. That was his nickname with folks around town (much different then his old nickname: Bear). For such a rough, foresty kind of guy, he has the softest core. In the most formative years, my dad taught us love. He taught us vulnerability and acceptance. He taught us that it is okay to cry (even at a children's movie); it's okay to feel and share your emotions. He taught us hard work. He taught us how to fail, how to be wrong, take accountability and apologize. He taught us how to play. He taught us teamwork...the kind where we'd all collaborate to beat him up! Even when things were tough, there was always something to giggle about and it was usually him.

Being a good mentor for your kids is a weighty responsibility as a parent. Having these little eyes and ears on you all the time, learning how to be. I know my dad felt this pressure two-fold. I know it challenged his identity and crushed him sometimes. I know this, because he told me. You see, my father taught me lessons he has learned by being transparent with me and letting me in on his tough times. He has taught me what not to do by being open with me about his own mistakes. He has never been perfect. He is authentic. He is flawed. He is human. And that's everything I needed to learn to be.

My father is a man of many words. No really, he will talk your ear off and his jaw will never get tired but you will be entertained the whole time. My love of story-telling has undoubtedly been inherited. Much like many of my other traits. As a child, I was called his mini-me. As I've gotten older, I find myself saying "Oh boy...I AM my father" pretty frequently. You know the old nature v.s. nurture battle? Sure, I'll say a lot of it is genetics but I'll also argue I have the most nurturing father and he's sure made an impression on my soul. He continues to every day.

If this hero had a superpower? It would be weaponized humor. He could heal a frown in an instant. As part of a child survey I was once asked "where do you go when you want to be alone?" Without skipping a beat I said "I go talk to my dad." As a sensitive but extroverted child, I equated being alone with feelings of sadness or upset. So if I was feeling that way, I would go talk to my dad and he was sure to solve that! He may not be the most patient person, but when he knows someone needs help, the world is on pause and you have his attention. He taught me that love is a verb and how you show up for others will be the most important mark you leave on this world.

We are simply lucky to have my dad around. As a teenager, before any thoughts of being a dad, he fell 60 feet from a pine tree and almost died. Whoever saved "the man from the forest" that day, saved me too.

Dad, it's been nothing short of an adventure with you as my father. You have supported me in my most challenging times, empowering me and humoring my character flaws along the way. Thank you for being incredibly you. Thank you for being a hero in my story.

Love you so much. You make me proud to be your daughter.