“WHATEVER YOU DO, DON’T FORGET FATHER’S DAY!”

by Jeanni Ritchie

We laugh about it now, our mother’s tongue lashing and stern mandate after my sister and I both forgot Father’s Day one year but it still causes me to tear up a little when I think about how my dad must’ve felt that day.

My dad has always been my fiercest defender and number one supporter. Over the years he became my best friend. There’s nothing I cannot tell him; the trust between us infrangible.

Though his vault-keeping skills need a little work sometimes! “Oh, was I not supposed to say anything?” Cue the innocent look … the same one he gives while cheating on game night!

I guess I’d just been too self-absorbed and overwhelmed that year to remember, for I think every single day should honor my dad. He is the greatest man I know. The man who welcomes everyone into both his home and his family with open arms. The man who will love and forgive you the moment you mess up. The man who will defend you both in and out of your presence.

I tell people often how I grew up with a father who treated the prostitute informant no differently than he treated the Mayor. Who showed as much respect to the inmate as he did Bill Clinton, on his campaign trail to Alexandria in the early 90’s. He modeled how you should treat ALL people and I have sought to follow his example as well.

The silver lining in the cloud that was my divorce was the opportunity to move back home and spend more than just a few times a year with my parents. I have been given the opportunity to make up for lost time and I will forever be grateful to God for this opportunity.

From turning ordinary meals into full-scale tasting experiences to our frequent UTV rides around the property, we have made memories the last two years that send my heart soaring.

Dad supports my article writing as well as my travel writing, the latter in more ways than one! In the South, you never outgrow being a Daddy’s girl.

I have several summer trips planned that I’m looking forward to. Almost the entire month of June is on the road. Except for June 15. You better believe I’ll be home for Father’s Day!