Why My Dad Is Amazing!

Father's Day is around the corner and soon there will be facebook posts flooding my newsfeed about why everyone's dad is the best dad in the world. Mine will be included in that, because my dad really is the best. Like most dads, mine was very involved with my childhood. He was the one who taught me to ride a bike (although that was a traumatic experience), swim, catch and all the fun things dads do with their kids. I take my hat off to him because he was the only man in the house surrounded by his girls and he handled it with such grace. Then in 1999 he and my mom made the decision to move us to the United States from South Africa. Most people probably don't understand the magnitude of a decision like this. It meant uprooting our whole life. We were going to move far away from family, friends, our culture and we were going to settle some place we had never even visited. But my dad had a goal for the move. He wanted to provide a better life for us. He wanted both his daughters to have the opportunity to go to college and he wanted to provide us with the best life that he could. He knew that meant moving here. Fast forward 13 years (WOW, can't believe it's been that long). I am a college grad from UW Madison and currently pursuing my Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. My sister is attending UW Eau Claire and just got accepted into their Athletic Training Program. My mom is doing what she loves doing, working at our local Chamber of Commerce spearheading fundraisers and doing good for the community. My dad is also enjoying his work at Cisco, and is extremely successful and respected in his field. None of us would be here if it weren't for my dad (and mom's) brave decision to move us here. Not only does this move make my dad the best, but the fact that he is an ever present figure in our lives sets him apart from most dads. He is a goofball who never takes him self too seriously. He is a man of God and emulates what I look for in a husband one day. His faith, love and amazing personality are an example that I hope to live up to one day in being the best person and parental figure I can be. He really is the best and we all love him so very much. Thank you for all you do daddy and happy Father's Day!